bivouac 1 of 2

noun

ˈbi-və-ˌwak How to pronounce bivouac (audio)
Definition of bivouacnext
as in campsite
a place where a group of people live for a short time in tents or cabins soldiers setting up a bivouac by the stream

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bivouac

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to tent
to live in a camp or the outdoors the army bivouacked for the night by the lake

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to house
to provide with living quarters or shelter survivors of the tornado were bivouacked in the church basement

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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 bivouac
Noun
As fuel prices continue to climb toward record territory, Costco parking lots are looking more like Mad Max bivouacs than suburban warehouses. — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026 But after 24 hours on the mountain with little water, the men gave up, carved out a small platform and collapsed in the snow — an open bivouac in high wind at 11,200 feet. — Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
By the way, that's the building where thousands of the troops who will be marching in the parade will bivouac, sleeping on cots and bringing their own sleeping bags. — Susan Page, USA Today, 11 June 2025 On the sidewalks lay many of the homeless, an anonymous army bivouacked beneath blankets or balled up fetally, uncovered. — Andrew Kay, Harpers Magazine, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bivouac
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bivouac
  1. campsite
  2. tent
  3. house
  4. campground
  5. encamp
  6. camp
  7. encampment
  8. shelter
Noun
  • Up to 1,500 watts of available solar charging ensure the batteries keep powered even when parked at the campsite.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • When the family showed up at the campsite, Villar and his team were already there.
    — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of campsite
Verb
  • Users can pitch the fly first, then use it as cover while pitching the inner tent, attach the fly and tent together and pitch them as one, or pitch the inner tent and then attach the fly.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Bake in preheated oven until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbling around edges, about 25 to 30 minutes, tenting with foil if needed.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 May 2026
Definition of tent
Verb
  • The store houses Smythson’s full selection, and also features a dedicated bespoke stationery salon, the only one outside of London, where customers can book a one-on-one appointment with a stationery specialist.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The gallery’s New York flagship has been located on the Upper East Side since 2014, in a set of historic buildings comprising some 17,500 square feet that formerly housed the National Academy Museum.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of house
Noun
  • Camping passes will include shuttles from the campground at Cal Expo and re-entry to the festival.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The campground is about a 15-mile drive from the Abram Falls trailhead, maps show.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of campground
Verb
  • It’s believed that everyone else died while encamped for the winter or while attempting to walk back to civilization.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
  • Part of Tennyson lived, was encamped, at the outer reaches of the psyche.
    — James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of encamp
Verb
  • GoldenSky attendees will have the chance to camp for the first time, similar to Aftershock’s inaugural RV, car and tent camping options this year.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Many people camp there and then explore attractions like Mesa Verde National Park (about an hour’s drive) or the San Juan Skyway.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of camp
Noun
  • And on homeless encampments, her team said a mayor lacks the legal authority to block council members from creating new no-camping zones.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The women playing their wives inventoried the encampment and supervised a flock of children on scooters and bikes.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of encampment
Verb
  • Residents of a Thornton neighborhood spent Sunday night sheltering inside their homes as police searched for an armed suspect following a shootout that left a Colorado police officer wounded.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Many migrants who remained in Ceuta have sheltered in Muslim neighborhoods, sleeping on streets, in doorways and in makeshift tent camps and centers run by NGOs and locals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of shelter

Browse Nearby Words

bitty
bivouac
bivouacked
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Cite this Entry

“Bivouac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bivouac. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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