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
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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
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Recent Examples of dam
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
In 2020, those tensions exploded into violence, with Mexican farmers seizing control of a dam in the border region in an effort to shut off water deliveries to the United States.
—Chris Cameron, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Erin Alberty, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Instead of creating huge reservoirs to dam the rivers and compromise their delicate ecology, Bhutanese turbines harness their natural flow, meaning a glut of power during the sodden summers and a dearth during the parched winters.
—By Charlie Campbell/gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dam
Noun
The agreement relies on a complex system of dams and reservoirs to channel the flow.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
In 2020, those tensions exploded into violence, with Mexican farmers seizing control of a dam in the border region in an effort to shut off water deliveries to the United States.
—Chris Cameron, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
Catch up quick: Glen Canyon is home to particularly sensitive ecosystems and archeological sites that have been threatened since the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation dammed the Colorado River there in the 1960s.
—Erin Alberty, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Instead of creating huge reservoirs to dam the rivers and compromise their delicate ecology, Bhutanese turbines harness their natural flow, meaning a glut of power during the sodden summers and a dearth during the parched winters.
—By Charlie Campbell/gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dam
Noun
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In the early 1900s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began installing canals and levees to control flooding in the Everglades, which allowed people to build farms and communities along its edges.—
John Kominoski,
The Conversation,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Dozens of rivers from Arkansas to Indiana were flooding on Sunday, threatening bridges, levees, water and sewage systems, and other infrastructure.—
Patrick J. Lyons,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mangione's attorneys have sought to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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Scouts raved about his pass-catching ability and pass blocking.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Aim to fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables and limit your portion of starchy vegetables to no more than a quarter of your plate.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
24 Apr. 2025
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His path has been long, filled with moments of uncertainty and sacrifice.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Heading further into the thing could have toppled our vehicle and sent us rolling down the embankment.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Footage showed the mangled wreckage on an embankment on the side of the highway.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2025
-
However, cameras often fail in cases where the body is obstructed by blankets or clothes, or when lighting is inadequate.—
Aly Fathy,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In total, your cereal dinner should pack around 30 grams of protein and enough fiber to reach your 25-to-35-gram-per-day goal, according to Van Eck.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
23 Apr. 2025
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About 300 people packed U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs’ townhall this week in El Cajon, many looking for answers and reassurance from the Democratic congresswoman about how to push back against President Trump’s agenda.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Christians and Muslims flooded social media with tributes, remembering his vocal condemnation of violence and consistent empathy for Gaza's civilians.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
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Special forces and ambulances flooded the scene, and workers in nearby stores were ordered to shelter in place.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But according to Scott Eustis of Healthy Gulf, a nonprofit that monitors the health of the region and advocates for moving away from oil and gas extraction, it should have been plugged a decade ago.—
Dan Ruetenik,
CBS News,
2 May 2025
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In an effort to avoid a third straight first-round exit, Bucks coach Doc Rivers plugged guards AJ Green and Kevin Porter Jr. and forward Bobby Portis Jr. into the starting lineup.—
Michael Marot,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dam. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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