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
Collectively, these leftovers become part of the humus of the soil, helping retain water and support soil-dwelling microbes, invertebrates and roots.
—
Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for humus
Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for humus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humus
Noun
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Sandy soil is more prone to hydrophobia than loam or clay.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
-
But the conflict between Joe and Ted goes back further and is rooted in a deep loam of backstory that emerges bit by bit.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mix the grass seed with sand or some topsoil to make spreading easier.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Alternate 4-inch layers of shredded organic matter with 1 inch of topsoil or finished compost.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The set is available in 19 colors, including a rich clay shade ideal for autumn.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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The wafer-thin coating of clay remained long after the underlying tissues decayed completely, retaining their detailed morphology and forming a perfect clay mask.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This clay molding process was known to preserve the form of soft animals in oxygen-poor areas, such as the muds at the bottom of lagoons and deep-sea trenches, Sereno says.—
Andrea Tamayo,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
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Turbulence in Lake Nyos changes the color from clear blue to mud-brown or reddish from iron sediments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humus. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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