as in curvatures
something that curves or is curved
the limestone arch is a natural formation that is the product of many years of erosion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in bends
to cause to turn away from a straight line
the cat arched her back whenever she was stroked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in curves
to turn away from a straight line or course
the path gradually arches off into the woods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 arches
New Atlas,
21 June 2026
McDonald's famous golden arches can be spotted from highways across the country.
—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
Its mesas, arches and deep canyons give the stars a dramatic stage, especially from remote viewpoints away from direct artificial light.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
The unusual event, fought in a temporary arena under 90-foot arches, is timed to Trump’s 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th.
—
Veronica Bravo,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
The rings are inspired by the architecture of Lumen Field, the Seahawks’ home venue, and the stadium’s famous arches hold many of the diamonds.
—
Zach Powell,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
The line to enter, flowing through the white arches on Mission Street, moves quickly, with lucky diners squeezed in at long wooden tables and serenaded by the occasional mariachi band.
—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Galicia Famed for its towering rock arches, this dramatic beach offers a spectacular setting — but requires planning.
—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
Across the reservoir, sandstone arches that used to be submerged are now large enough to drive a boat through.
—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
The protective netting that arches over so many of the roads in the eastern Donbas region – stopping drones in their tracks – is not your friend here, but a limitation on movement.
—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
According to Archer Western, HDR’s design engineers failed to properly account for wind loads — including hurricane winds — in an initial, partial design for the signature bridge arches that the contractor used to calculate construction costs and time for its bid.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
The front of the mouse arches down and spreads wide, suggesting the noggin of the snake it's named after.
—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
14 Mar. 2026
Instead, look to modern lattices, scallops, and arches for a timeless feel that’s still up to date.
—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2026
Note, however, the Vision XL is also essentially one big 10-in-tall block with a completely flat roof, whereas some hardshell RTTs, including the Skycamp, have roof designs with a high point that arches down toward the front and/or back.
—
New Atlas,
13 Dec. 2025
These arches pivot together around common springing points to create a 40-degree tilt in just 4 minutes.
—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
The Methodist church, a white wedding cake built in 1929, was a total loss; the town’s oldest commercial building, a grand colonnaded structure from 1924, looked like the Roman Forum, arches yawning around a central void.
—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
With huge bulging wheel arches and a predatory prowling front end, the M Concept is instantly recognizable as a high-performance automobile, like a sedan that’s been working out at the gym and hasn’t skipped the protein supplements either.
—
New Atlas,
21 June 2026
McDonald's famous golden arches can be spotted from highways across the country.
—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
Its mesas, arches and deep canyons give the stars a dramatic stage, especially from remote viewpoints away from direct artificial light.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
The unusual event, fought in a temporary arena under 90-foot arches, is timed to Trump’s 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th.
—
Veronica Bravo,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
The rings are inspired by the architecture of Lumen Field, the Seahawks’ home venue, and the stadium’s famous arches hold many of the diamonds.
—
Zach Powell,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
The line to enter, flowing through the white arches on Mission Street, moves quickly, with lucky diners squeezed in at long wooden tables and serenaded by the occasional mariachi band.
—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Galicia Famed for its towering rock arches, this dramatic beach offers a spectacular setting — but requires planning.
—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
Across the reservoir, sandstone arches that used to be submerged are now large enough to drive a boat through.
—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
Smith arches over the patient, his body an umbrella to protect the wound.
—
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
The protective netting that arches over so many of the roads in the eastern Donbas region – stopping drones in their tracks – is not your friend here, but a limitation on movement.
—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
According to Archer Western, HDR’s design engineers failed to properly account for wind loads — including hurricane winds — in an initial, partial design for the signature bridge arches that the contractor used to calculate construction costs and time for its bid.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
The front of the mouse arches down and spreads wide, suggesting the noggin of the snake it's named after.
—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
14 Mar. 2026
Instead, look to modern lattices, scallops, and arches for a timeless feel that’s still up to date.
—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2026
Note, however, the Vision XL is also essentially one big 10-in-tall block with a completely flat roof, whereas some hardshell RTTs, including the Skycamp, have roof designs with a high point that arches down toward the front and/or back.
—
New Atlas,
13 Dec. 2025
These arches pivot together around common springing points to create a 40-degree tilt in just 4 minutes.
—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
The Methodist church, a white wedding cake built in 1929, was a total loss; the town’s oldest commercial building, a grand colonnaded structure from 1924, looked like the Roman Forum, arches yawning around a central void.
—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arches
Noun
-
There are hardly any flat architectural surfaces, and NAUSICAÄ is shaped by curvatures and louvred details.
-
Its outstanding appeal, grandish curvatures and extraordinary interior design are just the norm for the upscale interior brand.
Verb
-
The star crossing in front of the other one brightens and bends the latter object’s light, thereby acting like a giant magnifying glass.
-
If a planet is orbiting the closer star, its gravity also slightly bends this light.
Verb
-
Tumon Bay, the island’s main resort district, curves in a sweep of gorgeous waters backed by limestone cliffs and a skyline of hotels that reflect Guam’s long‑standing popularity with Japanese and Korean travelers.
-
Phoebe Philo’s version, a backless white tank with a dramatic ruffle that curves across the waist and up the shoulder blades transforms the silhouette into an avant-garde sculpture.
Noun
-
Made up of sharp angles and straight lines, the quilt and its matching shams have a look that strikes the right balance between classic and contemporary.
-
The episode featured the advancement of multiple angles as Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga split away from the MFTs just days after Solo Sikoa spiked his own brother Jimmy Uso in the name of his family.
Verb
-
Armour hooks my arm, and the panic abates.
-
Marketing experts say while more and more cash is flowing into the clip-ification of all things, those watching the content can view clips as cheap and disposable moments, not something that hooks someone on a show or internet personality.
Verb
-
President Curtis bows on Adult Swim July 26.
-
Lillocci contributed to the design of Canali’s fall 2026 lineup but his first full collection in this new role bows for spring 2027, which will be unveiled in Milan on Sunday.
Cite this Entry
“Arches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arches. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
