moil 1 of 2

noun

Definition of moil
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity went for a retreat at the monastery for a temporary respite from the moil of the modern world

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in labor
very hard or unpleasant work fed up with the moil and moneygrubbing of Wall Street, he decided to open a bed-and-breakfast in Vermont

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

moil

2 of 2

verb

ˈmȯi(-ə)l 
1
as in to labor
to devote serious and sustained effort miners moiling all day in the sunless recesses of the earth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to swirl
to be in a state of violent rolling motion the angry mob moiled around the courthouse

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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 moil
Noun
Through a stranger’s eyes, though, the UBA’s moil of laws and lore is a clear symptom of mental illness. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 The delight of online life gave way to its moil, and the pleasure of online services has been eroded by their many downsides, from compulsion to autocracy. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2020
Verb
There are strange things done in the midnight sun, by the men who moil for gold. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moil
  1. commotion
  2. labor
  3. struggle
  4. swirl
  5. disturbance
  6. effort
  7. strive
  8. churn
Noun
  • Miller denies that and says the gun fell from his sweatshirt pocket and got hit in the commotion.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Is everything okay on MobLand after the behind-the-scenes commotion involving Tom Hardy.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Katarzyna Nowakowska, Poland's deputy minister for family, labor and social policy, told the AP that the most vulnerable applicants still receive direct help from the state and any other refugees needing support should turn to social workers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • As the Lindsay Clancy murder trial approaches closing arguments, jurors will soon be asked to decide whether the former labor-and-delivery nurse is criminally responsible for killing her three small children in January 2023.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of labor
Verb
  • The Sparks struggled early, missing 12 of their first 16 shots from the field.
    — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026
  • For now, Neda, a 34-year-old Tehran resident struggling with kidney disease and needing medication, is holding her breath as she is once again forced to buy only half of her monthly dose.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of struggle
Verb
  • Yet fighting for the spotlight could be the least of their problems, as questions swirled over how the Sussexes would actually pull off life in Britain.
    — Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The What podcast, shared an update with fans amid swirling rumors that the beloved fest had been canceled.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of swirl
Noun
  • This mosquito is more associated with human disturbance including containers left out in people’s backyards will draw them.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The cameras are designed to attract minimal attention and create as little disturbance as possible.
    — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • Those shots blotted out what had been an inspiriting effort by the Valkyries’ bench unit.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Jason Bauer, the city’s director of public works and city engineer, said Aurora pursued multiple procurement efforts.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of effort
Verb
  • The league will strive to avoid the potential unintended consequences referenced above.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Exclusion generates the prestige toward which unpaid labors strive.
    — M. C. Mah, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of strive
Verb
  • Gelato is churned more slowly than ice cream, giving it a dense, almost taffy-like chewy texture.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • European butter is typically churned for a longer amount of time, which means that more buttermilk and water drains off of the solids.
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of churn

Browse Nearby Words

moiety
moil
moiled
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Cite this Entry

“Moil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moil. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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