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
Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
The study reveals as urbanization increasingly encroaches upon bat-safe caves, invasive, city-dwelling rats are likely to follow.
—NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
Sulfur caves are among the most extreme habitats on Earth.
—Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
Coral fanatics will love visiting Negril, home to mountainous coral mounds and ethereal swim-through caves where green and red soft corals hang down like mystical fingers.
—Adrienne Jordan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The Raiders are plenty more fearsome with tight end Brock Bowers back in the mix, and this could be the week that the Broncos’ secondary caves a bit without Pat Surtain II.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025
Smaller ones get closer to the beaches and caves.
—Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
For decades, the Algarve has been beloved for its endless sunny days and dramatic coastlines with its picturesque beaches, craggy cliffs, and hidden caves.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
However, natural caves have been found in these mountains, including those at nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
—Mike Bezemek, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
In the 1930s, amid fears the palace collection would be seized by Japan’s Imperial Army, many of the treasures were evacuated to other cities and spent years on the road, sometimes hidden in temples and caves on the way.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
The study reveals as urbanization increasingly encroaches upon bat-safe caves, invasive, city-dwelling rats are likely to follow.
—NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
Sulfur caves are among the most extreme habitats on Earth.
—Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
Coral fanatics will love visiting Negril, home to mountainous coral mounds and ethereal swim-through caves where green and red soft corals hang down like mystical fingers.
—Adrienne Jordan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The Raiders are plenty more fearsome with tight end Brock Bowers back in the mix, and this could be the week that the Broncos’ secondary caves a bit without Pat Surtain II.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025
Smaller ones get closer to the beaches and caves.
—Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
For decades, the Algarve has been beloved for its endless sunny days and dramatic coastlines with its picturesque beaches, craggy cliffs, and hidden caves.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
However, natural caves have been found in these mountains, including those at nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
—Mike Bezemek, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caves
Noun
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The town of about 600 sits at the northern foothills of the Smoky Mountains and offers hiking, caverns and Silver Falls, the tallest subterranean cascade in the eastern United States, according to World Atlas.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Nov. 2025
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Other locations that inspire quiet immersion include the cenotes of Mexico, where sunlight filters through ancient limestone caverns, and the tranquil waters of Amed, Bali, a favorite of free-divers.—
Vanita Salisbury,
AFAR Media,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Currently, federal law only guarantees a cow’s milk substitute—such as fortified soy milk—if a parent submits a physician’s note documenting a disability.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
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The city’s existing process has design work being completed either by city engineers or outside architects before a contractor is chosen — a decision based on which contractor submits the lowest bid.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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To keep things fresh, producers have ventured into hitherto uncharted baking grottoes.—
Ruby Tandoh,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Consider a midgen berry bush (Austromyrtus dulcis), which yields fruit that look like white to mauve blueberries with a taste to match.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
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The first offense of a taunting penalty yields an $11,593 fine.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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 18 Nov. 2025.
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