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
Puglia’s Adriatic coast is dramatic, especially between Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, where clear waters lap undulating cliffs and flow into the occasional sea cave.
—
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
According to state officials, the property features steep canyons, limestone cliffs, rolling hills, and long stretches of the West Nueces River, all centered around a spring‑fed 30‑acre lake.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 28 May 2026
In late April, the board approved plans to install natural-looking wooden posts connected by metal chains between the sidewalk and the bluffs to encourage pedestrians to stay off the cliffs and use beach access stairs.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
And speaking of potential glass cliffs, Meg O’Neill has her hands full as the new CEO of BP.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 May 2026
York Redoubt boasts dramatic coastal views above the ocean cliffs and almost feels like stepping into Newfoundland (or even Ireland).
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
With rugged cliffs rising above the Arkansas River, the canyon is a picturesque place for rafting, fishing, and hiking.
—John Hickenlooper, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
Carved into the cliffs and wrapped in pine forest, the Hacienda Na Xamena brings unique barefoot-chic calmness to a usually loud destination.
—William Jones, USA Today, 18 May 2026
It's all anchored by Shawnee National Forest, home to seven wilderness areas, unique sandstone cliffs and rock formations, and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
—Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 15 May 2026
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
According to state officials, the property features steep canyons, limestone cliffs, rolling hills, and long stretches of the West Nueces River, all centered around a spring‑fed 30‑acre lake.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 28 May 2026
In late April, the board approved plans to install natural-looking wooden posts connected by metal chains between the sidewalk and the bluffs to encourage pedestrians to stay off the cliffs and use beach access stairs.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
And speaking of potential glass cliffs, Meg O’Neill has her hands full as the new CEO of BP.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 May 2026
York Redoubt boasts dramatic coastal views above the ocean cliffs and almost feels like stepping into Newfoundland (or even Ireland).
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
With rugged cliffs rising above the Arkansas River, the canyon is a picturesque place for rafting, fishing, and hiking.
—John Hickenlooper, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
Carved into the cliffs and wrapped in pine forest, the Hacienda Na Xamena brings unique barefoot-chic calmness to a usually loud destination.
—William Jones, USA Today, 18 May 2026
It's all anchored by Shawnee National Forest, home to seven wilderness areas, unique sandstone cliffs and rock formations, and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
—Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 15 May 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
-
That's why there are so few of us clinging to the crags of Mount Everest or decamping to Antarctica.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Coastal cliffs and crags are punctuated by black-sand beaches, and rich rain forests hide a towering volcanic cone.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The optical illusion reminded early settlers of the blockades of wooden stakes, or palisades, built around forts to ward off threats.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Local wineries dot the nearby rolling river bluffs, the art and music scene is thriving, and there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
Crews determined that the cave had two exits, either through the water to a beach with access to the bluffs or onto a pocket beach, but the trail was too steep to get onto the bluffs.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cliffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cliffs. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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