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

Relevance

cave

2 of 2

verb

as in to submit

Related Words

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
Scylla lives in a cave and tries to capture and eat Odysseus’ men. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 During their 2022 field season, the researchers observed that during heavy rainfall, corridors in the structure may have channeled water down an interior staircase into the artificial cave. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
When it’s put in the oven, the fizz dissipates inside the batter and causes the center to cave in. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 In the summer and fall (and as conditions allow), visitors can go caving in two of the lava tube caves. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 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
  • There was always a descent into the noticeably cooler stone caverns where the wine is aged underground.
    — Kyle Lucia Wu, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
  • Highlights include the 30-foot Great Falls, which is below a historic 19th-century cotton mill, and Twin Falls, which emerges from a cavern into the Caney Fork River.
    — Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Definition of cavern
Verb
  • The policy requires a supervisor to complete an investigation, as well as submit findings and an evaluation of the officer's performance up the chain of command for review.
    — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026
  • Founders can now submit entries for the new season through SonyLIV, with the network inviting applicants who can demonstrate real conviction and a clear understanding of their businesses.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of submit
Noun
  • Tucked away in a grotto filtered by the shade of olive trees and Aleppo pine, the facility looks like a game of Jenga, badly played.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026
  • The indoor/outdoor water park has a 900-foot lazy river, tube slides, and a heated grotto.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026
Definition of grotto
Verb
  • But for Church, that desire for longevity didn’t mean capitulating.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
  • Nations like Mongolia, Bhutan, and Nepal are acutely aware of the danger, fearing that not capitulating on the Dalai Lama succession issue could open the door to broader Chinese territorial claims.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of capitulate
Verb
  • Oppressive smoke from Canadian wildfires amid a heat wave had beset the tristate area in the preceding week.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
  • The publishing industry is beset by AI, from within and without.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of beset
Verb
  • Disney+ has greenlit a series based on the Afterlife With Archie comic book, in which Riverdale is overrun by zombies.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2026
  • Not long ago, the shop was overrun by crowds but in dire financial straits.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
Definition of overrun

Phrases Containing cave

Browse Nearby Words

cavalrymen
cave
caveat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cave. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on cave

Nglish: Translation of cave for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All