as in levees
a bank of earth constructed to control water
the river backed up behind the dam until it formed a new lake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in blocks
to prevent passage through by filling with something
ice floes were damming the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fills
to close up so that no empty spaces remain
dam up the pipes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dams
Evan Bush, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
The water resources engineer will inspect all types of existing dams and assist with the inspection of construction of dams and appurtenant structures.
—Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Today it is critically endangered because dams are blocking its route to spawning grounds and overfishing at migration bottlenecks is killing the large adults that the population depends on.
—Zeb Hogan, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Belief systems, turns out, can be like dams.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
The river authority did not build the dams, and acquired them in 1963 from Texas Power Corporation and the Texas Hydro-Electric Corporation.
—Liz Teitz, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Mar. 2026
Upper Basin negotiators have said the federal government built those dams largely to support their needs, while Arizona has argued they were required to help fulfill the Upper Basin’s compact obligations.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Supporters say not only do the dams built by beavers help regulate the state's water supply, but the wetlands created by them also act as natural firebreaks, provide refuge for other wildlife during fires, and reduce downstream pollution after fires.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
These storms have raised water levels, with one stream rising more than 10 feet, spiking fears about flooding and the structure of aging dams and reservoirs in the state.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
The dwindling snowpack is likely to raise the risk of severe wildfires, hamper electricity generation at hydropower dams and force water restrictions for farmers.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
The water resources engineer will inspect all types of existing dams and assist with the inspection of construction of dams and appurtenant structures.
—Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Today it is critically endangered because dams are blocking its route to spawning grounds and overfishing at migration bottlenecks is killing the large adults that the population depends on.
—Zeb Hogan, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Belief systems, turns out, can be like dams.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
The river authority did not build the dams, and acquired them in 1963 from Texas Power Corporation and the Texas Hydro-Electric Corporation.
—Liz Teitz, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Mar. 2026
Upper Basin negotiators have said the federal government built those dams largely to support their needs, while Arizona has argued they were required to help fulfill the Upper Basin’s compact obligations.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Supporters say not only do the dams built by beavers help regulate the state's water supply, but the wetlands created by them also act as natural firebreaks, provide refuge for other wildlife during fires, and reduce downstream pollution after fires.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
These storms have raised water levels, with one stream rising more than 10 feet, spiking fears about flooding and the structure of aging dams and reservoirs in the state.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
Glacial outburst floods happen when the ice dams holding back glacial lakes fail, allowing a sudden release of water.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dams
Noun
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But farming communities nationwide have been adversely affected by the president's tariff policy, as global trading partners scaled back agricultural purchases like soybeans in retaliation for higher levees.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
California legislators on Tuesday voiced their support for Senate Bill 872 — a bill aimed at reinforcing Delta levees and the State Water Project by directing $300 million annually to the state’s water infrastructure upgrades and repairs.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The neighborhood/area The hotel sits in the North Loop area of Minneapolis, blocks away from the iconic Hennepin Street Bridge with easy access to the riverfront parks along the Mississippi, with their great cycling and walking trails and varied perspectives on the city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The orientation of entrances blocks front desk employees from seeing activity in the lobby area.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The footage appears to be captured from a Wyze indoor security camera and caught the moment the cat moves close to the camera and its face fills the frame before the video feed is interrupted—giving the impression that the device has been intentionally disabled.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The scents of honey, lavender, patchouli and cedarwood waft through The Hive by Upcycled Candles, as soft alternative rock fills the air.—
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Slopes or embankments are classified by their gradient (vertical rise over 100 feet).—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Breakfast patios overlook rafters drifting by; anglers cast from stone embankments; kayakers practice freestyle moves at the whitewater park in the middle of it all.—
Ted Alvarez,
Outside,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rethinking How Nasal Congestion Is Treated Nasal congestion develops because nasal passage tissues swell due to inflammation, which obstructs breathing and prevents mucus from exiting the sinus cavities.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
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Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For older systems, travelers can purchase additional accessories like AirFly, which plugs into the headphone jack and connects to wireless headphones via Bluetooth.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
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Her lending company plugs those sorts of details — student transcripts and internship experiences, for example— into an algorithm that determines the likelihood applicants will complete college, get a job and make enough money to pay back the loan.—
James Pollard,
Fortune,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Every couple of years, during a hard rain, the creek floods her driveway.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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The floating center console creates handbag storage and an available dual pane sunroof floods the cabin with light.—
Scotty Reiss,
Parents,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Greek yogurt packs 10 to 20 grams per serving, and a 3-ounce chicken breast provides 26 grams.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Our expert take The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dams. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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