1
as in sea
the whole body of salt water that covers nearly three-fourths of the earth
the ocean still holds mysteries that we are only beginning to unravel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in abyss
an immeasurable depth or space
with a single bound from the top of the cliff, he propelled the hang glider into the ocean of air over the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 ocean
The formation would have resulted from rivers carrying sediments into the ocean, as well as changing sea levels.
—
Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
In 2016, a common New Zealand octopus named Inky became an unlikely global sensation — not for a trick or a viral video, but for breaking out of his tank at the National Aquarium of New Zealand and making a run (well, a crawl) for the ocean.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Not in a remote jungle or the deep ocean floor, but in a drainage canal on the outskirts of one of the world’s biggest cities.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Sandy shores, a deep blue ocean, swaying palm trees?
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ocean
Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
In 2016, a common New Zealand octopus named Inky became an unlikely global sensation — not for a trick or a viral video, but for breaking out of his tank at the National Aquarium of New Zealand and making a run (well, a crawl) for the ocean.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Not in a remote jungle or the deep ocean floor, but in a drainage canal on the outskirts of one of the world’s biggest cities.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Sandy shores, a deep blue ocean, swaying palm trees?
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ocean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ocean
Noun
-
Ships near the blockade face US warnings Vessels that approach the blockade, which is being enforced in Iran’s territorial seas and international waters and not in the Strait of Hormuz, get a warning, Caine said.—
Konstantin Toropin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Rom-coms today are mostly relegated to streaming services, just another drop in a sea of on-demand content.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Adobe could be crawling its way out of the software stock abyss, after a buyback and an endorsement from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revived confidence in the digital media provider.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The horrid image in the news of a column of smoke rising above the city of Tehran — an abyss of darkness against the gray sky — arrests my attention.—
Babak Rahimi,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Iran and the United States outlined competing proposals ahead of the talks reflecting the wide gulf on key issues.—
Munir Ahmed,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The ship suffered substantial damage, and the Reagan administration retaliated by damaging or sinking three Iranian warships and three oil platforms, drastically reducing Tehran’s ability to engage in the gulf.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ocean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ocean. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
