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
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
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
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Inspectors also issued citations after finding the restaurant’s ceiling tiles were soiled with food debris, grease, dust or a mold-like substance on three separate occasions, the suit states.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
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
In addition, racks inside one of the coolers were unclean and rusty, and the microwave ovens were visibly 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
Adjective
Twenty-five live roaches partied on a soiled cloth behind the reach-in cooler across from the stove.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
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
The Italian host nation went on to win the tournament, but it was soiled by accusations of meddling from Mussolini.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Inspectors also issued citations after finding the restaurant’s ceiling tiles were soiled with food debris, grease, dust or a mold-like substance on three separate occasions, the suit states.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
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
In addition, racks inside one of the coolers were unclean and rusty, and the microwave ovens were visibly 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soiled
Adjective
-
Gayle Wilson, who once worked as a blackjack dealer, enjoyed sewing and making stained glass, according to Lindley Funeral Homes.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Gently scrub the stained area with a soft bristle brush or clean soft cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 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
-
Reach-in coolers that didn’t keep food safe from bacteria growth and utensils stored in filthy spots shut down a Miami restaurant after inspection last week.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Stanley dealers were not in cutthroat competition for filthy lucre.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Add the unpeeled garlic and toast until blackened, about 5 minutes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Loss of valuables in the ruins The exteriors of some buildings remained blackened from the flames.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2020, stargazers flocked to dark sky locations to view the cosmic traveler Neowise, a visible comet then 64 million miles from Earth, with a dusty tail extending more than a million miles.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The dusty chocolate coating is bitter and unpleasant, and there isn’t enough salt to offset it.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The drinks attract younger women, typically age 16 to 35, and are aimed at health-conscious customers that don’t want Swig’s more caloric and filling dirty sodas, CEO Alex Dunn said.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
That wasn’t the only utensil stored in a dirty place.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The result leaves nearly every performer fumbling for traction in Serkis and Stoller’s muddy-yet-gutless cinematic sty.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Between damp docks, muddy trails, and the occasional drizzle, they were quickly soaked and scuffed.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soiled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
