as in stained
not clean
a soiled carpet in need of a good shampooing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dirtied
to make dirty
oil and grease soiled the mechanic's shirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of soiled
Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
Bonner’s story is what is right about sports, which seem to become more soiled and corrupt by the minute.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Towels—including bath towels, hand towels, kitchen towels, and washcloths—are often more soiled than clothes.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
Cuffs, collars, and underarms are typically the first spots to become soiled.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025
In August 2023, the airline apologized to two passengers who were escorted off a plane after refusing to sit in a soiled seat.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Health inspectors found two visibly soiled wiping cloths on the preparation table surface.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025
But even with the most enthusiastic upcycling, so much fast fashion cannot be repurposed—discolored or torn polyester, or soiled underwear.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
However, curtains that are near entrances will become soiled more quickly than others.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026
Both of his arms are in the sleeves, and his bourgeois father is kneeling on the floor, taking the shirt in order to conserve it, perhaps saving it from being soiled.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
Pews were left heavily soiled in black.
—Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
Also, household pest-control chemicals were stored in areas where food and clean equipment were being stored, an open package of rodent bait was found in the kitchen, and the food-preparation table and breading station were soiled.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
An inspector found raw salmon in the same container as raw beef and a tall white ice bucket, metal pans, plastic containers and spatulas soiled with leftover food debris.
—Evan Moore
december 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
While suitable for items needing a fast refresh, notably soiled, stained, or smelly clothes require a more intensive wash cycle.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2025
Investor sentiment was soiled by a sell-off in crypto assets.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Let the paste sit for 10 to 20 minutes, leaving it on longer for heavily greased or soiled areas.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
Bonner’s story is what is right about sports, which seem to become more soiled and corrupt by the minute.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Towels—including bath towels, hand towels, kitchen towels, and washcloths—are often more soiled than clothes.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
Cuffs, collars, and underarms are typically the first spots to become soiled.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025
In August 2023, the airline apologized to two passengers who were escorted off a plane after refusing to sit in a soiled seat.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Health inspectors found two visibly soiled wiping cloths on the preparation table surface.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025
But even with the most enthusiastic upcycling, so much fast fashion cannot be repurposed—discolored or torn polyester, or soiled underwear.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
Fill the trash can about 2/3 full with hot water, or up to the rim if it's soiled near the top.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
However, curtains that are near entrances will become soiled more quickly than others.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026
Both of his arms are in the sleeves, and his bourgeois father is kneeling on the floor, taking the shirt in order to conserve it, perhaps saving it from being soiled.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
Pews were left heavily soiled in black.
—Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
Also, household pest-control chemicals were stored in areas where food and clean equipment were being stored, an open package of rodent bait was found in the kitchen, and the food-preparation table and breading station were soiled.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
An inspector found raw salmon in the same container as raw beef and a tall white ice bucket, metal pans, plastic containers and spatulas soiled with leftover food debris.
—Evan Moore
december 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
While suitable for items needing a fast refresh, notably soiled, stained, or smelly clothes require a more intensive wash cycle.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2025
Investor sentiment was soiled by a sell-off in crypto assets.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soiled
Adjective
-
Firefighters made a hole with an axe just above the entrance to let the thick black smoke flow out and to avoid breaking the eight stained glass windows along the sides of the structure.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Think soft yellow hues, floral motifs, and colorful stained glass.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When stormwater dirtied by road runoff, failing septic tanks and fertilizer sullied crystal-clear rivers and lakes, and nobody cared.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The Space Marines are attempting to reclaim Kronus from the filthy xenos on the planet, leading a heroic charge into a massive Ork army as the Necrons rise again.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The woman was taken to the Fort Worth jail, by then best described as an old, filthy, rat-infested hole in the basement of city hall.—
Kevin Foster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Grace, her white lace dress blackened with blood, is smoking a cigarette outside of an incinerated mansion that belongs to her in-laws, the Le Domas, who are all dead.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The Israeli strikes on oil facilities sparked massive pillars of fire and blackened the skies above Tehran.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
It's typically utilized on things like hinges, locks, gears and machinery, in dusty environments where traditional lubricants would attract debris.—
Ben Coxworth
March 27,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 2026
-
On this gravelly, dusty, single lane, Bob Markle applied a pursuit trick that wardens learn early.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Customers will keep fighting back with dirty returns, unused reservations and hostile reviews.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
About 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Mooresville residents report finding dirty water filters turning a disconcerting brown.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Also, prepare to navigate 27 miles of bumpy, at times muddy dirt roads to the trailhead.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Agents trekked through muddy terrain in the dark and eventually found Medina curled up in a ball next to a tree.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soiled. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
