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
Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
Poke around the freshwater caves, which feature prominently in the local legend of Princess Popoalaea, who was allegedly killed there by her cruel husband.
—Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
These natural gems give a glimpse into the Floridan aquifer, a system of porous limestone that forms underground caves and rivers, pushing water up through vents and ultimately flowing into the faucets of millions of Sunshine State residents.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
The government cut down swaths of jungle and drove support columns down into the caves to build the tourist train.
—Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Not only have explorers mapped new areas over the years, but new caves are still forming.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Though an occasional cellphone or refrigerator does make an appearance, Salvation takes place against an epic, timeless canvas, one filled with torchlit gatherings, solitary figures lurking in caves, and ghostly hallucinations.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Nearby, three caves with wide openings also resemble the pointed arches of churches.
—Micol Passariello, Architectural Digest, 26 Feb. 2026
Some locations had fans going into caves or swamps, on trains or hiking through snow to get their hands on that golden idol.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
The first French cheese to receive Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, it is aged in limestone caves and inoculated with Penicillum roqueforti, which imparts its distinctive taste.
—Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
Poke around the freshwater caves, which feature prominently in the local legend of Princess Popoalaea, who was allegedly killed there by her cruel husband.
—Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
These natural gems give a glimpse into the Floridan aquifer, a system of porous limestone that forms underground caves and rivers, pushing water up through vents and ultimately flowing into the faucets of millions of Sunshine State residents.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
The government cut down swaths of jungle and drove support columns down into the caves to build the tourist train.
—Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Not only have explorers mapped new areas over the years, but new caves are still forming.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Though an occasional cellphone or refrigerator does make an appearance, Salvation takes place against an epic, timeless canvas, one filled with torchlit gatherings, solitary figures lurking in caves, and ghostly hallucinations.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Nearby, three caves with wide openings also resemble the pointed arches of churches.
—Micol Passariello, Architectural Digest, 26 Feb. 2026
Some locations had fans going into caves or swamps, on trains or hiking through snow to get their hands on that golden idol.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caves
Noun
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The reserve, which can reach as many as 714 million barrels, is stored in large, high-security underground salt caverns along the gulf coastlines of Louisiana and Texas.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The town is famous for its caverns, discovered in 1878, but is an ideal home base for outdoor activities like hiking, river tubing, and horseback riding.—
Erica Silverstein,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Each year, the task force submits a report to Congress outlining gaps in research and highlighting areas where more focus is needed.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
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Will biannual bombing campaigns be employed until Iran submits to American demands?—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 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 event offered Saturday and Sunday by the Kane County Forest Preserve District gave families the opportunity to watch naturalists tap into maple trees in search of what some call the liquid gold that eventually yields true maple syrup.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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The ancient world still yields treasures.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 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 17 Mar. 2026.
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