as in loam
a brown or black material in soil that is formed when plants and animals decay
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Recent Examples of humus
Burnt soil has obviously lost any mulch that had been present as well as the layer of decomposing organic material or humus just below it.
—
Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2025
Including the sand provides better drainage, and the humus in the compost holds nutrients and provides moisture control.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2024
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
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and all that humus rot.
—Chris Bohjalian, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for humus
Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2025
Including the sand provides better drainage, and the humus in the compost holds nutrients and provides moisture control.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2024
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
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and all that humus rot.
—Chris Bohjalian, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for humus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humus
Noun
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The region's soils consist of limestone, clay, and iron-rich loams.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Areas affected by wildfires or those with sandy soil are more prone to hydrophobia than loam or clay.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Dudas ended up using the boulder in his landscaping, making space for the massive rock in his front yard, adding mulch, topsoil, and indigenous plants to the area, as well as other smaller rocks.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Authorities dug up the patio, and a dog alerted to the topsoil in that area, police have said.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Elements like wicker baskets, wooden benches, or clay planters bring warmth and organic texture to any porch, says Paxton.—
Lauren Jones,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
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The club has no intention of converting any of its 12 green clay tennis courts to pickleball.—
Ethan Singer,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.—
AZCentral.com,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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In a few days a thin sheet of water and mud would cover the area.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humus. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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