tributary 1 of 2

noun

ˈtri-byə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce tributary (audio)
Definition of tributarynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tributary

2 of 2

adjective

as in subordinate

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 tributary
Noun
The fun part was reaching every pole in every neighborhood in a town crisscrossed by tributaries of the Albany River. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026 Namami Gange has added substantial sewage-treatment capacity and supported riverfront, afforestation, and biodiversity projects, but untreated sewage and industrial waste continue to affect the Ganges and its tributaries. — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Adjective
But these capitalists were encircled for hundreds of years by a sea of subsistence farmers and tributary empires that operated on completely different principles. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2026 History is everywhere in Okinawa, which from 1429 to 1879 was the Ryukyu Kingdom, a tributary state under China’s Ming and Qing dynasties. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tributary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tributary
  1. headwater
  2. subordinate
  3. branch
  4. assistant
  5. bayou
  6. complementary
  7. feeder
  8. contributory
Noun
  • The headwaters of this 1,400-mile long artery are in the Rocky Mountains, fed by melting snowpack.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Following an exceedingly warm year that has left the Colorado River’s headwaters in the Rocky Mountains largely snowless, Lake Mead is nearing a record-low level.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of headwater
Adjective
  • The Allies replied that all elements of the Japanese state would be subordinate to occupation authorities.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Whether peer-to-peer, superior-to-subordinate, or subordinate-to-superior, there has to be trust.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of subordinate
Noun
  • At first glance, corals present as little more than colorful rocks — piles of lobes, stalagmites, and branches poking out from the seafloor.
    — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
  • These are structures that branch repeatedly into finer and finer filaments, ending in a tuft-like crown of nanofibers.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of branch
Adjective
  • Former Bruins assistant general manager Evan Gold found his new gig just a couple of hours down I-95 south.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Ted is now working as an assistant manager at a local grocery store in Kansas City.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of assistant
Noun
  • Day One of the conference was unfortunately a bit muted this time around as Tropical Storm Bertha ripped across the Gulf Coast, unleashing its power across the Louisiana bayou.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
  • While here, be sure to take a boat tour through the swamps of the bayou.
    — Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Definition of bayou
Adjective
  • Unlike traditional diplomacy, conducted by states and official representatives, civil humanitarian diplomacy can create complementary spaces for dialogue and cooperation through civil society and other non-state actors.
    — Ricardo Bellino, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Then Pearsall began last season as the team’s top receiver with Aiyuk on the shelf and Jauan Jennings still serving a complementary role.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of complementary
Noun
  • Fertilizing is also important, as cucumbers are heavy feeders.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026
  • One option is to use the lid as a protective roof over a feeder, helping keep seed sheltered from rain.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of feeder
Adjective
  • Alzheimer’s disease was a significant contributory factor in Hackman’s death.
    — Evan Bush, NBC news, 4 May 2026
  • In trademark law, there is contributory liability in two different circumstances.
    — Jess Collen, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of contributory

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tributary
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Cite this Entry

“Tributary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributary. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tributary

Nglish: Translation of tributary for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tributary

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