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
Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
Federal agencies, local partners, landowners, and conservationists spent more than three decades, millions of dollars, and countless hours removing obsolete dams, restoring wetlands, and reintroducing fish populations to help pull the Roanoke logperch back from the brink.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Nature and aesthetics be dammed.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dam
Noun
Upon their return—primarily after the reintroduction of wolves—beavers built dams and ponds, slowing water flow and restoring river ecosystems.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
Federal agencies, local partners, landowners, and conservationists spent more than three decades, millions of dollars, and countless hours removing obsolete dams, restoring wetlands, and reintroducing fish populations to help pull the Roanoke logperch back from the brink.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
The meltwater is rushing downstream from Suicide Basin, a basin of water dammed in by the Mendenhall Glacier.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Nature and aesthetics be dammed.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dam
Noun
-
As levees erupted, storm waters easily flowed in.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But when the levees failed, thousands of people were trapped inside as supplies dwindled and conditions deteriorated quickly.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Congress previously voted to repeal the law, but then-President Joe Biden blocked the repeal with a presidential veto.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, such bills have been introduced repeatedly over the past three decades, only to be blocked time and again by Netanyahu and others.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One side is crafted from 100 percent linen, and the reverse, 100 percent cotton, both of which are stitched to create an eye-catching bubble texture accentuated by the plush fiber filling between the layers.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Never mind that Coppola cast Mickey Rourke in the role — tough shoes to fill.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Family, friends and spectators line the embankments, looking down from pedestrian bridges and the underpasses, holding up signs and cheering.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The impact sent both vehicles spinning down the embankment.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This powder comes in a few delicious flavors—unflavored, strawberry lemon, vanilla, and chocolate—and is packed with vitamin C, which can support collagen synthesis to further boost effectiveness, according to Fazio.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
6 Sep. 2025
-
But outgoing Milwaukee Symphony Music Director Ken-David Masur has packed his concluding season here with major choral works to show off the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus in its 50th year.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The comment sections of each video documenting the saga was flooded with people baffled by how the pair ended up in the situation.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Just two days before filming began in the northwest regional province of Santiago Rodriguez, a powerful storm swept through the Dominican Republic, flooding the ground floor of the production office and bringing much of Santo Domingo to a halt.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When the oil begins to dry up, wells are supposed to be plugged to prevent toxic, climate-altering chemicals from escaping.—
September 7,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Try to plug the drain holes at the bottom, allowing the soil to become very wet so that the ants will make their escape.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dam. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share