TRIBUTARY Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

tributary 1 of 2

noun

ˈtri-byə-ˌter-ē

Definition of tributary

as in headwater

a stream that flows into a larger body of water the Amazon and its more than 1,000 known tributaries form the world's largest drainage basin

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tributary

2 of 2

adjective

as in subordinate

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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 tributary

Noun

The water, too, was wild—the Allegheny and its tributaries had yet to be dammed, and Flag Swamp was noted as one of the last hideouts for beavers in the state. — Literary Hub, 10 June 2026 The Blue River is a tributary of the Missouri River, which is a main source of drinking water for the region. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026

Adjective

That salty, terminal lake had its tributary water diverted away by the city of Los Angeles, turning it into a dry salt flat. — Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023 Sometimes the killers may be Chechens maybe organized by Putin’s other feral favourite, his tributary ruler of Russia’s Chechen republic, Kadyrov. — Time, 24 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for tributary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tributary

Noun

The headwaters of the Colorado River, a vital source of water for 35 million people and 5 million acres of farmland, is drier than anyone can remember, my colleague Ian James reports.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Its headwaters are in Indian River County, its mouth in the Atlantic near Jacksonville, which is the furthest place Sanders Fish House delivers its wild catch.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026

Definition of headwater

Adjective

Executive Vulnerability How a leader reacts in the five-second window after being corrected by a subordinate determines the future of that company’s innovation.

— William DeCourcy, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Now the focus is those who preach or serve in subordinate pastoral roles.

— Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2026

Definition of subordinate

Noun

Four branches of the TVS family had crossholdings in group companies until they were divided among the third- and fourth-generation members in 2022, with Sudarshan’s father gaining ownership of TVS Motor.

— Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Should another fire roll through, the seedlings are not yet tall enough to hold their branches above the flames.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of branch

Adjective

The Unified Government brought in Chism, who formerly served as an assistant city manager in Shawnee and Overland Park, back in 2024.

— Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Noel Grigsby played for Garrett, went on to San José State and has been an assistant coach since 2014.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of assistant

Noun

While here, be sure to take a boat tour through the swamps of the bayou.

— Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Introduce yourself to the local critters living in the tanks inside, then stroll the gorgeous bayou walkways or take your little ones to the nature play garden.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

Definition of bayou

Adjective

This may mean implementing interactive kiosks or digital shelf displays to then provide the right product suggestions, complementary items or simplified comparisons.

— Gadi Graus, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Black buttons ran down the front of the dress’ placket, while a complementary black belt added definition at the waist.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 July 2026

Definition of complementary

Noun

These under-$25 auger drill bits make easy work of bulk planting, and this hummingbird feeder—combined with ready-to-use hummingbird nectar—will attract your favorite pint-sized birds in droves.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026
Evergreen funds, interval funds, feeder vehicles and digital onboarding have made private markets easier to access for HNWI and accredited investors.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of feeder

Browse Nearby Words

tributaries

tributary

tribute

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“Tributary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributary. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tributary

noun

adjective

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