variants
also cañons
as in ravines
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
as the scouts made their way through the canyon, they marveled at the sheer walls of rock on both sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canyons
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, Zion National Park, Utah Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is known for spectacular scenery that includes colorful mountains, peaks, sandstone formations, canyons, waterfalls, cliffs, and wildlife.
—
Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Early the next morning, the crew hunted out some more canyons to cruise.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
It’s found growing naturally beside streams, in canyons, and in valley bottoms where soil stays moist throughout the year.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Downtown Fort Worth streets are canyons of brick and steel, where sound reverberates off buildings, often to the annoyance of those who call the area home.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
The helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation, which does sightseeing tours of Kauai’s canyons, shoreline and waterfalls.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
The spray is applied to brush and trees in canyons and open spaces and around homeless encampments and evacuation corridors.
—Tyler Faurot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
The two lone wolves traverse a wasteland of vast canyons, derelict cityscapes and blazing oil fields, digitally rendered on blue screens.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
Named for the pale slickrock that dominates much of the road’s terrain, the driving is a mix of sandy washes, rough rocky stretches and the aforementioned slickrock, which will occasionally take you to the edge of canyons.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 7 Mar. 2025
Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Early the next morning, the crew hunted out some more canyons to cruise.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
It’s found growing naturally beside streams, in canyons, and in valley bottoms where soil stays moist throughout the year.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Downtown Fort Worth streets are canyons of brick and steel, where sound reverberates off buildings, often to the annoyance of those who call the area home.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
The helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation, which does sightseeing tours of Kauai’s canyons, shoreline and waterfalls.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
The spray is applied to brush and trees in canyons and open spaces and around homeless encampments and evacuation corridors.
—Tyler Faurot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
The two lone wolves traverse a wasteland of vast canyons, derelict cityscapes and blazing oil fields, digitally rendered on blue screens.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
Named for the pale slickrock that dominates much of the road’s terrain, the driving is a mix of sandy washes, rough rocky stretches and the aforementioned slickrock, which will occasionally take you to the edge of canyons.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canyons
Noun
-
The manhunt has so far been contained to Stewart County, where search crews are up against an immediate terrain of steep hills with deep ravines or hollows, the sheriff said.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
-
Why not try and capture an image of the moon during each major phase (excluding the new moon) as the line separating night from day sweeps across the lunar surface throwing ancient craters, ravines and mountain ranges into relief.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Dimitsana and Arcadian mountain trails The heartland of the Peloponnese is Arcadia, a mountainous province of gorges and hills, many precariously topped by medieval towns.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The island’s eastern region of Lasithi is home to dramatic gorges, small mountain villages, Europe’s largest natural palm forest—and fewer crowds.—
Yulia Denisyuk,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While the East shivers for much of the week, a heat wave in the West is forecast to bring well-above average or even record-breaking temperatures, with high temperatures soaring into the 110s in the valleys of Southern California and Arizona.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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During the journey, passengers pass waterfalls, rivers, and steep valleys, crossing over 41 bridges and through 13 tunnels.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canyons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canyons. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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