1
as in streams
a passageway for water
A fallen tree branch was floating down the river.
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2
as in floods
an overwhelming flow or rush of something
Jet streams can be thought of as giant rivers of air that circulate around the globe. He was overwhelmed by the river of new information that the document dump provided.
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Recent Examples of rivers
Daily life was reshaped during the energy crisis with the shutdown of Armenia’s nuclear plant, frozen rivers preventing hydroelectricity, and blockades cutting natural gas.
—
Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Where Riverside Ravel Sails This ship is exclusive to France’s Rhône and Saône rivers, with most cruises operating between Avignon and Lyon.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Avalon Waterways sails European rivers and includes activities like e-biking through vineyards or pedaling through scenic villages on its Active & Discovery river cruises.
—Kathy Boardman, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Plastic in streams, rivers and household water makes its way into the lake and from there into our bodies.
—Theodore J. Karamanski, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
However, without an adequate snowpack to slowly release water through the spring and summer snow melt, rivers run lower, soils dry out earlier, and drought conditions can deepen and linger.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
Steamboats on readily navigable interior rivers jump started a century of rapid economic development.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Flooding will extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays resulting in some road closures and flooding of vehicles.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2026
While the Allegheny River is currently closed to boats and barges from mile marker 1 up to mile marker 72 until March 1, both the Monongahela and the Ohio rivers remain open.
—Christopher Derose, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Where Riverside Ravel Sails This ship is exclusive to France’s Rhône and Saône rivers, with most cruises operating between Avignon and Lyon.
—Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Avalon Waterways sails European rivers and includes activities like e-biking through vineyards or pedaling through scenic villages on its Active & Discovery river cruises.
—Kathy Boardman, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Plastic in streams, rivers and household water makes its way into the lake and from there into our bodies.
—Theodore J. Karamanski, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
However, without an adequate snowpack to slowly release water through the spring and summer snow melt, rivers run lower, soils dry out earlier, and drought conditions can deepen and linger.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
Steamboats on readily navigable interior rivers jump started a century of rapid economic development.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Flooding will extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays resulting in some road closures and flooding of vehicles.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2026
While the Allegheny River is currently closed to boats and barges from mile marker 1 up to mile marker 72 until March 1, both the Monongahela and the Ohio rivers remain open.
—Christopher Derose, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivers
Noun
-
And even in winter, boating offers a new perspective on the city, particularly during the annual Light Festival, a free open-air festival of light installations along the canals.—
Georgina Ustik,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Lumberyards, flour mills, livestock auctions, and other industries popped up, while irrigation canals were built quickly to support the region’s expanding agricultural community.—
Northwest River Partners,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Marketing for top sports books like DraftKings and FanDuel floods the airwaves and casts a giant net for customers that critics say has lured in high schoolers and younger college students alongside those legally allowed to bet.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
And fire ants use their waxy, water-repellent coating and textured exoskeletons to trap air; during floods, thousands cling together to make buoyant, living rafts that can survive 12 days and possibly longer.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When cities embed movement into daily life, through accessible parks, clean waterways, shaded paths, and community facilities, sports participation rises, emissions fall, public health costs drop, and communities become more attractive for events and tourism.—
Sebastian Buckup,
Time,
7 Feb. 2026
-
High winds, long waterways, and brutal conditions tested the pair’s endurance.—
Outside,
Outside,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The expanse of a cookie, its crumbly craters and molten rivulets, is a playground for the pastry chef.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Dec. 2025
-
Several rivulets flowed lazily through the debris.—
Daniel A. Gross,
New Yorker,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
At the same time, there are riparian natives — those that grow along watercourses — which may need regular attention in terms of water needs for many years after planting.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivers. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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