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
Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The park offers several hiking paths that explore caves along the base of the mountain and a trail that leads to the nearby town of Dénia.
—Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
At least 10 alternative caves were also considered, in regions like Guangxi, Hunan, and Guizhou.
—Joe Wilkins Published Jan 8, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
Everyone was deemed an armed terrorist, on par with the depictions of Al Qaeda operatives in Afghan caves, and thus the face of a minister for youth and sports could be plastered with a red X on Israel’s official government channels, the same as Osama bin Laden’s.
—Séamus Malekafzali, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Some years, the lake freezes hard enough for cars to drive out to Madeleine Island, and if winter has been especially cold, hikers and skiers can explore the islands' sea caves by foot.
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026
And none evoke so well my own experience of going to the caves in the Dordogne region of France, hoping to follow in Frankenthaler’s footsteps, this past summer.
—Carol Armstrong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Among indigenous Igorot groups, especially the Kankanaey, wooden coffins were placed on cliff faces or inside elevated caves, often just a few feet above ground and sometimes stacked up over generations.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Max & Holly Stumble Upon Henry’s Traumatic Memory Out in the desert, where Holly draws the connection that the shape of the caves mimics the aperture in the spyglass, an M of sorts, she and Max literally almost fall down a mineshaft.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
Noun
The hotel sits above a deep valley, with ancient caves built into the cliffs.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The park offers several hiking paths that explore caves along the base of the mountain and a trail that leads to the nearby town of Dénia.
—Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
At least 10 alternative caves were also considered, in regions like Guangxi, Hunan, and Guizhou.
—Joe Wilkins Published Jan 8, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
Everyone was deemed an armed terrorist, on par with the depictions of Al Qaeda operatives in Afghan caves, and thus the face of a minister for youth and sports could be plastered with a red X on Israel’s official government channels, the same as Osama bin Laden’s.
—Séamus Malekafzali, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Some years, the lake freezes hard enough for cars to drive out to Madeleine Island, and if winter has been especially cold, hikers and skiers can explore the islands' sea caves by foot.
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026
And none evoke so well my own experience of going to the caves in the Dordogne region of France, hoping to follow in Frankenthaler’s footsteps, this past summer.
—Carol Armstrong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Among indigenous Igorot groups, especially the Kankanaey, wooden coffins were placed on cliff faces or inside elevated caves, often just a few feet above ground and sometimes stacked up over generations.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Max & Holly Stumble Upon Henry’s Traumatic Memory Out in the desert, where Holly draws the connection that the shape of the caves mimics the aperture in the spyglass, an M of sorts, she and Max literally almost fall down a mineshaft.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caves
Noun
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Ice Castles in Silverton and Cripple Creek are a beloved stop for Coloradans and visitors to celebrate winter with slides, towers, tunnels and caverns.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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While the coffins weren't suspended on cliff faces, many were elevated on stilts and placed in hard-to-access caverns, again suggesting a purposeful and ceremonial ritual.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That depends on whether a taxpayer files electronically or submits a paper return, as well as whether the IRS identifies any problems with a filing.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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But the work doesn’t end for Lata, even when her state submits its new roll.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
25 Dec. 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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Attendees will learn how Abraxas’ aquaponics system yields thousands of pounds of produce, which are donated locally and used in the school’s culinary classes.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
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Priya, meanwhile, turns her suspicions on Jack as well as the elusive Catherine, who yields no results on a Google search save for an article about her dead older sister.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 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 16 Jan. 2026.
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