as in levee
a bank of earth constructed to control water
the river backed up behind the dam until it formed a new lake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
ice floes were damming the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 dam
ABC News, 26 May 2026
There are no structural issues with the dam, officials stressed.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 22 May 2026
Megan Rodriguez, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Mar. 2026
According to the Lake Garda Improvement Association, in the 1920s Harry Battistoni bought small farms along the Burlington/Farmington border, dammed up a small brook, and created Lake Garda.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dam
Noun
In recent months, authorities in countries including Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Norway have alleged that hackers linked to Russia targeted their critical infrastructure, including power plants and dams.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
There are no structural issues with the dam, officials stressed.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 22 May 2026
Verb
Crews will dam the water directly under the Pump House to complete foundation work, and the area around the structure will be closed off.
—Megan Rodriguez, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Mar. 2026
According to the Lake Garda Improvement Association, in the 1920s Harry Battistoni bought small farms along the Burlington/Farmington border, dammed up a small brook, and created Lake Garda.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dam
Noun
-
Reconnecting rivers, many of which have been restricted by levees, to seasonal floodplains can dramatically improve growth and survival for juvenile salmon and increase their resilience to climate change.—
Eric Palkovacs,
The Conversation,
26 May 2026
-
These are fast disappearing, however, as humans drain them for development, dredge canals in them for the oil and gas industry and construct river levees, depriving them of the sediments that stop them being submerged.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Cans block harmful light better than bottles, whose long necks can allow light and oxygen that speed up aging.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
-
The acid also blocks tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production that can become overactive due to the body’s inflammatory response during a shingles infection.—
Alyssa Sparacino,
Glamour,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The service Warm, jovial, and filled with smiles as is typical of island hospitality.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
However, his exit created a two-way contract spot that was filled by Mac McClung, who not-so-coincidentally was about to represent the 76ers in the All-Star Saturday Night Dunk Contest.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Been there as communities have tried to tame the mighty waters with levees and embankments, and battled 100-pound invasive fish.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
-
The department said callers told them a vehicle crashed into an embankment, bursting into flames.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
He has previously been arrested for charges including assault and obstructing police.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
If you’re headed to a region with a malaria risk, don’t hesitate to pack 100% DEET bug spray.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
-
Once considered competitive territory, the district was transformed into safe Republican ground after Democratic mapmakers packed it with conservative voters siphoned from neighboring GOP seats.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
Oncologists are being flooded with requests as the special access program gets started.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Bilt is plugged into Toast, Resy, OpenTable, SevenRooms, Mindbody, and the property management stacks of Greystar, AvalonBay, and Brookfield, with 45,000-plus merchants in the network.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
Mileage is tracked through a device plugged into your vehicle or through your vehicle’s existing system.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dam. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
