as in escarpments
a steep wall of rock, earth, or ice
the cliff rises 200 feet from the island's south shore
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of cliffs
On a recent afternoon, fluffy clouds drift past the sun, throwing light, then shadow, across distant cliffs layered in yellow, ochre and sienna.
—
John Burnett, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
With ten inland beaches and nearly 100 miles of trails, the area is also famous for more than 42 miles of colorful, 200-foot-tall sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and sandy beaches.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 12 Mar. 2026
Boats of all types are not allowed to land on the beach, and the sea cliffs block access by land.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
Life spills outside though, where the terraces offer a front-row seat to the famously dramatic cliffs and sea.
—Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
The Ichikawas are using their years climbing mountains and craggy cliffs all over the world to guide their signature concoctions.
—Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Secluded at the base of 300-foot cliffs and hard to access, Black’s Beach was the prime spot for it.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
The elevator takes commuters from the station platform in Hoboken up the Palisades cliffs to Jersey City.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Tens of thousands of acres make up the central Sierra Nevada, and skiers have enjoyed the plentiful slopes and cliffs for years, no ski resort required.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026
John Burnett, NPR, 14 Mar. 2026
With ten inland beaches and nearly 100 miles of trails, the area is also famous for more than 42 miles of colorful, 200-foot-tall sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and sandy beaches.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 12 Mar. 2026
Boats of all types are not allowed to land on the beach, and the sea cliffs block access by land.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
Life spills outside though, where the terraces offer a front-row seat to the famously dramatic cliffs and sea.
—Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
The Ichikawas are using their years climbing mountains and craggy cliffs all over the world to guide their signature concoctions.
—Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Secluded at the base of 300-foot cliffs and hard to access, Black’s Beach was the prime spot for it.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
The elevator takes commuters from the station platform in Hoboken up the Palisades cliffs to Jersey City.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Tens of thousands of acres make up the central Sierra Nevada, and skiers have enjoyed the plentiful slopes and cliffs for years, no ski resort required.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliffs
Noun
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This park is all escarpments, rivers, and old forests.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The national park promises epic escarpments, striking rock formations, and breathtaking bush walks less than an hour west of Sydney by car.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Dan shone his flashlight in the crags of a rock wall, and the antennae of hundreds of spiny lobsters waved in its beam.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Her travels are usually inspired by mountain bike trails, classic crags, and whatever is happening in the sky.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In an ideal world the palisades would have their own mayor and police department.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s version of events, as is so often the case, isn’t based on facts, but wishcasting, projection, bombast and bluffs.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
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Pontal da Carrapateira, a small, windswept peninsula of cliffs and bluffs that towers over crashing waves, swirling waters, and ocean spray.—
Austin Bush,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cliffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliffs. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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