cave 1 of 2

noun

ˈkāv How to pronounce cave (audio)
Definition of cavenext
as in cavern
a naturally formed underground chamber with an opening to the surface Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is actually a series of large chambers on five levels

Synonyms & Similar Words

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cave

2 of 2

verb

as in to submit

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Dissimilar Words

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 cave
Noun
Living rooms with limited natural light appear cave-like when painted in dark colors. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 25 Aug. 2026 After carefully entering the cave, the photographer watched as more turtles arrived with the rising tide, eventually counting 17 individuals sharing this quiet refuge. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
The legislature passed a one-year ban on data center construction last week, becoming the latest state to cave to backlash against artificial intelligence. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 8 June 2026 Following Guthrie's prying, Lopez eventually caved in with a concrete answer. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cave
  1. cavern
  2. submit
  3. grotto
  4. capitulate
  5. beset
  6. overrun
Noun
  • This cushion is required at the very top of the caverns to keep the extraction pipes safely submerged in oil rather than the underlying water.
    — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is stored at 60 salt caverns thousands of feet underground at four major sites along the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Texas.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of cavern
Verb
  • However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • By Thursday evening, more than 60 people had been taken by ICE in Danbury, according to CT Students for a Dream, which tracks arrests based on video footage submitted by rapid response teams.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of submit
Noun
  • Legend has it, Sperlonga was a stop on Odysseus's journey, and a group of ancient sculptures depicting scenes from the Odyssey were found in the grotto adjacent to the villa.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The hydrotherapy circuit runs cold plunge pools alongside a jungle-view sauna and a steam room with an ice fountain, plus a mud grotto and a vitality pool.
    — Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of grotto
Verb
  • The administration’s hope is that eventually the Iranian leadership will capitulate and compromise.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026
  • West Ham could have capitulated after Leo Scienza’s opener for Southampton in the 10th minute, but the youngsters showed they were not overawed.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of capitulate
Verb
  • Most recently, Yiannopolous has worked as a spokesperson for Ye, who has been beset by controversy of his own following antisemitic comments that the rapper has since apologized for.
    — Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • As told in the Devi Mahatmya, the gods are beset by the demon (asura) Mahishasura, who received a boon that he cannot be killed by a man—but he can be killed by a woman.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of beset
Verb
  • Twelve of them, plus one former jumper, lost their lives in 1949 when the Mann Gulch Fire, in Montana, overran them.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The punchline became a very unfunny one when the Wehrmacht launched its blitzkrieg campaign in May, overrunning Belgium and the Netherlands in a matter of days.
    — David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of overrun

Phrases Containing cave

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cavalrymen
cave
caveat
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Cite this Entry

“Cave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cave. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cave

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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