as in levees
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 blocks
to prevent passage through by filling with something
ice floes were damming the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fills
to close up so that no empty spaces remain
dam up the pipes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dams
Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
These storms have raised water levels, with one stream rising more than 10 feet, spiking fears about flooding and the structure of aging dams and reservoirs in the state.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
After two powerful storms struck Hawaii over the past week, officials are warning that one of the largest dams on the island of Oahu is at risk of imminent failure.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
The state regulates 132 dams across Hawaii, most of them built as part of irrigation systems for the sugar cane industry, according to a 2019 infrastructure report by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
The state regulates 132 dams across Hawaii, most of them built as part of irrigation systems for the sugarcane industry, according to a 2019 infrastructure report by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
—Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Changing temperatures and shifting ice dams can push water underneath your shingles, leading to interior water leaks.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 16 Mar. 2026
Then, should a wet winter come next year, SRP’s system could totally refill — something that would take many wet years behind the Colorado River dams.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 7 Mar. 2026
But Iran is less vulnerable to attacks on desalination, because its water supply relies instead on dams and wells.
—Michael Christopher Low, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Supporters say not only do the dams built by beavers help regulate the state's water supply, but the wetlands created by them also act as natural firebreaks, provide refuge for other wildlife during fires, and reduce downstream pollution after fires.
—Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
These storms have raised water levels, with one stream rising more than 10 feet, spiking fears about flooding and the structure of aging dams and reservoirs in the state.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
After two powerful storms struck Hawaii over the past week, officials are warning that one of the largest dams on the island of Oahu is at risk of imminent failure.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
The state regulates 132 dams across Hawaii, most of them built as part of irrigation systems for the sugar cane industry, according to a 2019 infrastructure report by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
The state regulates 132 dams across Hawaii, most of them built as part of irrigation systems for the sugarcane industry, according to a 2019 infrastructure report by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
—Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Changing temperatures and shifting ice dams can push water underneath your shingles, leading to interior water leaks.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 16 Mar. 2026
Then, should a wet winter come next year, SRP’s system could totally refill — something that would take many wet years behind the Colorado River dams.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 7 Mar. 2026
But Iran is less vulnerable to attacks on desalination, because its water supply relies instead on dams and wells.
—Michael Christopher Low, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
Glacial outburst floods happen when the ice dams holding back glacial lakes fail, allowing a sudden release of water.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dams
Noun
-
But farming communities nationwide have been adversely affected by the president's tariff policy, as global trading partners scaled back agricultural purchases like soybeans in retaliation for higher levees.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
California legislators on Tuesday voiced their support for Senate Bill 872 — a bill aimed at reinforcing Delta levees and the State Water Project by directing $300 million annually to the state’s water infrastructure upgrades and repairs.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Still, the order blocks vendors from selling any new Wi-Fi routers that are manufactured, developed, or designed outside the US in a major way.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Together, the salts and your sweat form a gel-like substance that blocks your skin’s pores and keeps further sweat from escaping.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If conservatism is something of an inclination or disposition, leftism of the more radical sort is a form of all-consuming identity, one that fills vacuums in otherwise empty lives and comprehensively guides behavior.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The front door is open and the full length of Daithí fills the frame.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Slopes or embankments are classified by their gradient (vertical rise over 100 feet).—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Breakfast patios overlook rafters drifting by; anglers cast from stone embankments; kayakers practice freestyle moves at the whitewater park in the middle of it all.—
Ted Alvarez,
Outside,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 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,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For older systems, travelers can purchase additional accessories like AirFly, which plugs into the headphone jack and connects to wireless headphones via Bluetooth.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Her lending company plugs those sorts of details — student transcripts and internship experiences, for example— into an algorithm that determines the likelihood applicants will complete college, get a job and make enough money to pay back the loan.—
James Pollard,
Fortune,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Every couple of years, during a hard rain, the creek floods her driveway.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The floating center console creates handbag storage and an available dual pane sunroof floods the cabin with light.—
Scotty Reiss,
Parents,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Like its other models, the Viator packs low and rugged for on/off-road travel and expands at camp.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Mar. 2026
-
John packs a bag and decides to go to a hotel for a couple of days, though Carolyn begs him not to leave.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dams. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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