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
Relevance
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 canyons
Yet, these sleek, wild, predator cats roam the foothills and mountains from Ventura to San Diego, slipping in and out of millions of backyards and dozens of local canyons mostly unseen, except for those fuzzy images captured by trail cameras and home surveillance videos.
—
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
Picture sipping coffee as the sun rises over the Rockies, or gliding past red rock canyons en route to Glacier National Park, all from the comfort of a panoramic observation car.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Even without the roadwork, traffic in and out of these canyons can be horrendous.
—Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
Bring your mountain bike for a beautiful 10-mile ride through Blackstar Canyon Wilderness Park, which boasts views of Irvine Lake, the Santa Ana Mountains and Silverado and Santiago canyons.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Tall buildings essentially create artificial canyons that can cause extreme wind gusts and possibly kick up additional snow flurries.
—Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Its trails and groves and canyons can accommodate many more visitors.
—F.k. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
People visit Zion for its gorgeous landscapes, from towering plateaus to a labyrinth of narrow sandstone canyons.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Mars is famous for its volcanoes, canyons and ancient river valleys, but some of its most active geology happens in slow motion, powered by air.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
Picture sipping coffee as the sun rises over the Rockies, or gliding past red rock canyons en route to Glacier National Park, all from the comfort of a panoramic observation car.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Even without the roadwork, traffic in and out of these canyons can be horrendous.
—Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
Bring your mountain bike for a beautiful 10-mile ride through Blackstar Canyon Wilderness Park, which boasts views of Irvine Lake, the Santa Ana Mountains and Silverado and Santiago canyons.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Tall buildings essentially create artificial canyons that can cause extreme wind gusts and possibly kick up additional snow flurries.
—Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Its trails and groves and canyons can accommodate many more visitors.
—F.k. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
People visit Zion for its gorgeous landscapes, from towering plateaus to a labyrinth of narrow sandstone canyons.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Mars is famous for its volcanoes, canyons and ancient river valleys, but some of its most active geology happens in slow motion, powered by air.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canyons
Noun
-
So where fiber connections may be expensive to make (think rivers and ravines, for instance), or where permitting is very challenging, FSO could provide just the solution.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Dec. 2025
-
However, the weeks surrounding them can provide spectacular views of their own, as the line separating night from day, known as the terminator, sweeps across its surface, throwing ancient craters, ravines and mountain ranges into relief.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Then there’s the ice that’s been frozen in its tracks while cascading down cliffs and gorges.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Turn off your notifications and explore the string of eight state parks in the area, marveling at massive waterfalls, river gorges, and sweeping Superior views.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Plus, the patterns originate in different valleys and regions, getting passed down and adapted over time.—
Blair Braverman,
Outside,
26 Jan. 2026
-
While the latest census from 2021 estimates nearly double that number now soar through the valleys, these tropical birds are still critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).—
Brianna Randall,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canyons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canyons. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
