as in caverns
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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Recent Examples of caves
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
These geckos live around karst rock formations — terrain shaped by limestone dissolution into caves, crevices and jagged outcrops.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
Karst Limestone Terrain and a Nocturnal Lifestyle The geckos were found living around karst rock formations, including caves and rocky terrain.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Researchers analyzed more than 3,000 markings on 260 objects, including the mammoth, that were found in caves in Germany.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2026
Before Monday, the last time the caves were open to the public was 2015.
—Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
In the area with cold plunging and a sauna, the walls undulate with patterns that change color, designed to evoke arctic caves and volcanic rock.
—Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
One day after the Apostle Islands ice caves opened to the public for the first time in more than a decade, the caves are again closed.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Growing crystals in their kid caves?
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
The geckos were found living around karst rock formations — a type of landscape shaped by the dissolution of soluble rock, typically characterized by dramatic caves, crevices and rugged rocky terrain.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
These geckos live around karst rock formations — terrain shaped by limestone dissolution into caves, crevices and jagged outcrops.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
Karst Limestone Terrain and a Nocturnal Lifestyle The geckos were found living around karst rock formations, including caves and rocky terrain.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Researchers analyzed more than 3,000 markings on 260 objects, including the mammoth, that were found in caves in Germany.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2026
Before Monday, the last time the caves were open to the public was 2015.
—Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
In the area with cold plunging and a sauna, the walls undulate with patterns that change color, designed to evoke arctic caves and volcanic rock.
—Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
One day after the Apostle Islands ice caves opened to the public for the first time in more than a decade, the caves are again closed.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Growing crystals in their kid caves?
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caves
Noun
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Hydrogen produced using renewable electricity could be pumped into these caverns when supply is abundant.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
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This extensive network of limestone caverns and underground waterways carved by the Río Camuy will reopen to the public in 2026, after being closed due to Hurricane Maria and then closed again after Hurricane Fiona.—
Kathleen Rellihan,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Director Harry Lighton transposed the story from the 1970s to the present, casting a hulking Alexander Skarsgård as the gorgeous and emotionally remote biker Ray, and Melling as the shy, diminutive parking attendant who submits himself to Ray.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
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Per state law, the district already submits annual financial and compliance audits performed by an external firm, which have on occasion revealed things such as payroll lapses and contract overpayment.—
Melissa Brown,
Chalkbeat,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Highlights include Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, the cliffside grottoes of Dunhuang, and a camel ride across the dunes of the Gobi Desert.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, which partners with Islander Watersports to offer excursions to scuba dive reefs, coral grottoes and shipwrecks just minutes from Pinney’s Beach.—
Adrienne Jordan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The fridge yields a bag of sturdy carrots, some garlic, a jar of mustard, and a bunch of cilantro (but a quick trip to the store could solve a lack of these ingredients).—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Feb. 2026
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Although simple, this formula yields a moist, buttery pound cake, with a golden brown crust.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After Jamie Gittens overruns the ball, Jorrel Hato picks up the pieces and reworks the move out wide to Cole Palmer.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pythons are constrictors, known to grip prey in their jaws, coil around it, then squeeze until the victim capitulates.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Caves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caves. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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