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
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Located in the northeastern part of the Buckeye State, this day-use state park rocks similar rugged cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and caves without the overcrowded parking lots.
—Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026
The new arrivals were taken by the village production team to their allotted caves.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
There will be little temptation to venture away from the comforts of the resort’s idyllic and famously still beach, unless by boat, kayak, or bike to explore the surrounding archipelago’s dramatic cliffs, caves, and paths.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
That number places human presence in the Yucatán thousands of years before the caves flooded at the end of the last ice age.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
Cenotes are freshwater sinkhole caves formed from the collapse of limestone bedrock.
—Ryan Brennan
april 4, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The caves also hold more recent artifacts, including a small cannon and 19th-century rifles, strengthening the case for cultural heritage protection.
—Ryan Brennan
april 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
This landscape is the quintessential Ozarks, with rolling hills and karst topography that forms caves, sinkholes, and springs in the bedrock.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Find rooms with private terraces, pools, and even caves, all with gorgeous caldera views.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Located in the northeastern part of the Buckeye State, this day-use state park rocks similar rugged cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and caves without the overcrowded parking lots.
—Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026
The new arrivals were taken by the village production team to their allotted caves.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
There will be little temptation to venture away from the comforts of the resort’s idyllic and famously still beach, unless by boat, kayak, or bike to explore the surrounding archipelago’s dramatic cliffs, caves, and paths.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
That number places human presence in the Yucatán thousands of years before the caves flooded at the end of the last ice age.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
Cenotes are freshwater sinkhole caves formed from the collapse of limestone bedrock.
—Ryan Brennan
april 4, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The caves also hold more recent artifacts, including a small cannon and 19th-century rifles, strengthening the case for cultural heritage protection.
—Ryan Brennan
april 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
This landscape is the quintessential Ozarks, with rolling hills and karst topography that forms caves, sinkholes, and springs in the bedrock.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caves
Noun
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But Hezbollah is known to operate a network of underground tunnels and caverns.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
12 Apr. 2026
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Paddle through towering rock formations, the remnants of Virgin Gorda's volcanic past, to discover hidden caverns where waves and sand meet.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Feeling neglected by Les, Lindy has struck up a retaliatory affair with his colleague Richie (O-T Fagbenle), who mistakenly submits one of her students’ short stories to The New Yorker as her own.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
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The only exception under the law is for a service primate for a permanently disabled person with a a severe mobility impairment, if the person submits written documentation or certification to the DEEP commissioner.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 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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Grinding the berries, trinity and all, yields whole wheat flour.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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With a climate that yields a 182-day growing season, Palisade has more than two dozen orchards and fruit farms, as well as 30 wineries.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
14 Apr. 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 16 Apr. 2026.
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