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
as in subordinate
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of tributary
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
In Oregon, the three reservoirs where fishing limits were lifted all store water from the Powder River, a tributary of the Snake River, which flows through the northeast part of the state.
—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
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
Noun
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
In Oregon, the three reservoirs where fishing limits were lifted all store water from the Powder River, a tributary of the Snake River, which flows through the northeast part of the state.
—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
2 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
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Lake Assinica in the Broadback headwaters has attracted world-wide attention for its giant squaretails the past two years.
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Long-term drought fueled by climate change has shrunk the Colorado River’s flows as federal officials and water leaders in the seven basin states — including Colorado, home to its headwaters — struggle to agree on longer-term plans for the river’s management.
Adjective
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The economic order must remain subordinate to human dignity and the common good.
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The study examined 518 manager-subordinate relationships and found that this leadership approach enhanced both employee thriving and performance through stronger positive job attitudes.
Noun
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His family tree branches over a region that now encompasses southern New Mexico, West Texas and Mexico.
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Minimalist aesthetic The effect, from certain angles, is of a building hovering, its decks and living areas suspended among branches.
Adjective
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Jeff Hall, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance, said the issue should be bipartisan.
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Golden and assistant Carlin Hartman unknowingly started a partnership by pairing the freshmen as roommates.
Noun
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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.
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The bayou rhythms already had some people dancing in the area between the pavilion’s seats and its lawn.
Adjective
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Eliadis calls them complementary.
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Her thesis is that digital and physical are not competing channels but complementary ones, with in-person experience driving consideration that eventually converts online.
Noun
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Catfish and carp, on the other hand, are true bottom feeders, hence the muddy flavor injection in their flesh.
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This clear acrylic feeder attaches directly to a window with suction cups, offering an up-close view of visiting birds.
Adjective
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That liability just became more personal: The PCAOB lowered its contributory liability standard from recklessness to negligence, meaning individuals face consequences for contributing to violations even without intent.
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Alzheimer’s disease was a significant contributory factor in Hackman’s death.
Cite this Entry
“Tributary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributary. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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