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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cliffs
The cliffs formed at the end of the Ice Age thanks to glacial activity carving out the gorge.
—
Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Here, the sun cast stark, dramatic shadows across the moon’s steep cliffs, rugged ripples and seemingly bottomless craters.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
While the volcanic islands like Tortola and Virgin Gorda tower with craggy cliffs that plunge dramatically into the sea, Anegada is famously flat; little more than crumbles of coral emerging from crystal-clear waves.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 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
It is known for its white sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and dense tropical vegetation, surrounded by water and coral reefs.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
At 11th Street in Avalon, steep cliffs are roughly 20 feet tall.
—Sean Tallant, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
In the 2025 film, South Devon convincingly stands in for Northern California, its clear waters and steep, green cliffs reflecting the same rugged coastal drama.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026
On the Base — the area above the sheer cliffs that encircle Tristan and below Queen Mary’s Peak — a group herds sheep down from the mountain.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Here, the sun cast stark, dramatic shadows across the moon’s steep cliffs, rugged ripples and seemingly bottomless craters.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
While the volcanic islands like Tortola and Virgin Gorda tower with craggy cliffs that plunge dramatically into the sea, Anegada is famously flat; little more than crumbles of coral emerging from crystal-clear waves.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 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
It is known for its white sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and dense tropical vegetation, surrounded by water and coral reefs.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
At 11th Street in Avalon, steep cliffs are roughly 20 feet tall.
—Sean Tallant, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
In the 2025 film, South Devon convincingly stands in for Northern California, its clear waters and steep, green cliffs reflecting the same rugged coastal drama.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026
On the Base — the area above the sheer cliffs that encircle Tristan and below Queen Mary’s Peak — a group herds sheep down from the mountain.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cliffs
Noun
-
Just as the sun prepared to sink beyond the escarpments, its rays struck every piece of the fractured glass resting on top of the window frames, alighting all of them at once, as if they were shot with electricity.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This park is all escarpments, rivers, and old forests.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
In 2014, the regional nonprofit group SOS Sahel came to Barkadroussou and taught villagers to stabilize the dunes by building palisades of palm fronds.—
Julie Bourdin,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Characteristic of the late Bronze Age or Iron Age periods of European history, hillforts generally refer to fortified, elevated settlements that were surrounded by barriers—usually made of earth, stone or wooden palisades—that created an enclosure.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Novices can stroll along the Upper Dells and bluffs or more adventurous explorers can descend down two trails that snake through the interior.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
One afternoon, in Jasper, Gordon Watkins, who runs the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, pointed to the limestone bluffs along the Buffalo National River.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cliffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliffs. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
