as in loam
a brown or black material in soil that is formed when plants and animals decay
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of humus
When separating clumps, add humus to the new planting area, spread roots out, and water well for smooth transplanting.
—
Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024
In addition to sphagnum peat moss, however, the lightweight potting mix contains humus and perlite, which help provide the necessary aeration and drainage for cacti and succulents.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and all that humus rot.
—Chris Bohjalian, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
Strobe lights periodically illuminated three large heaps of compost, flecked with humus; a machine puffed artificial fog.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for humus
Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024
In addition to sphagnum peat moss, however, the lightweight potting mix contains humus and perlite, which help provide the necessary aeration and drainage for cacti and succulents.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and all that humus rot.
—Chris Bohjalian, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
Strobe lights periodically illuminated three large heaps of compost, flecked with humus; a machine puffed artificial fog.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for humus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humus
Noun
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Those interactions spring from the rich loam of history and lore that gives the sport its halcyon glow, and from which even a humble amateur game absorbs vicarious grandeur.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Carrots need a loose loam or sandy soil and plenty of moisture.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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After centuries of deforestation and topsoil erosion, the region was already suffering from landscape degradation.—
Cody Cottier,
Discover Magazine,
11 Feb. 2025
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During the cleanup of the 2018 Camp fire, about one-third of the properties still contained toxic chemicals in excess of California cleanup standards, even after 3 to 6 inches of topsoil was removed, according to a report by a state contractor.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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People are even combining miniature art with clay art, making tiny versions of food in clay form. 6.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Mar. 2025
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Warm the clay beads in the microwave or freeze them for instant relief.—
Nora Colomer,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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It was filled with -- my ball was covered with mud.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
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The stars came to town to enjoy the hot springs, the mud baths, and of course the wine of the Napa Valley.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humus. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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