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
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2026
Work on the ground after a fire needs to happen quickly — within the first few years — and designing and constructing dams can take time and be expensive.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
The measure would tie spending of the new revenue directly to master plans the city has adopted in recent years for libraries, parks, dams and other infrastructure priorities, Barrios said.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
However, their current population cannot build enough dams quickly enough to restore waterways damaged by human activity.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
Still, the extent of the 1955 flood energized calls for better flood protections, including new dams, larger reservoirs and bolstered levees.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Initial projects will include water harvesting dams and land reclamation initiatives, according to a Reuters report.
—Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
Poor ventilation can trap moisture, promote mold growth or even cause ice dams in cold weather.
—Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
As divided as the country was fifty years ago, things seemed to fall into place in the months leading up to July 4, with Americans getting a nightly history refresher via CBS’s Bicentennial Minutes and everything from fire hydrants to giant dams painted in the red, white and blue.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2026
Work on the ground after a fire needs to happen quickly — within the first few years — and designing and constructing dams can take time and be expensive.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
The measure would tie spending of the new revenue directly to master plans the city has adopted in recent years for libraries, parks, dams and other infrastructure priorities, Barrios said.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
However, their current population cannot build enough dams quickly enough to restore waterways damaged by human activity.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
Still, the extent of the 1955 flood energized calls for better flood protections, including new dams, larger reservoirs and bolstered levees.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Initial projects will include water harvesting dams and land reclamation initiatives, according to a Reuters report.
—Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
Poor ventilation can trap moisture, promote mold growth or even cause ice dams in cold weather.
—Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
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
-
Despite the downgrade, the storm unleashed catastrophic damage—particularly in New Orleans, where storm surge overwhelmed levees and flooded more than 80% of the city.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Several creeks north of Vallecito Reservoir in La Plata County rose rapidly on Saturday, breaking through levees and over riverbanks, as the remnants of Tropical Storm Priscilla moved over the region.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The order now blocks a previous ruling by a Rhode Island judge that required the payments to be paid out by Friday night, NBC News notes.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
If the customer does not recognize the purchase, the bank blocks the transaction.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The test fills a diagnostic gap, allowing physicians to better evaluate and create treatment plans for patients.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Twigs ably fills the role but is not given the kind of acting showcase Cage has here.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Decades ago, farmers built simple earthen embankments to protect their fields and livestock from seasonal flooding.—
Farshid Vahedifard,
The Conversation,
29 Dec. 2025
-
In Prague, large concrete blocks have been placed along popular embankments and around key foot-traffic areas, while police have increased patrols to monitor potential targets.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 Dec. 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 Nov. 2025
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When Jonah plugs his drive into the server, the drones immediately lock onto him.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The closest Grocery Outlets are in Point Loma and Mira Mesa, so this location plugs a gap for San Diego’s central coastal neighborhoods.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Shauna Bell, who lives along Van Buren, said the nearby stormwater drain is constantly clogged from highway debris, which floods her yard.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
-
What To Know One of the most dangerous threats for Southern California will be the risk of debris flow as the rain floods recent burn scars, including the Eaton Scar and Bridge Scar.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sydney Sweeney packs a punch both on and off the screen.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Instant oatmeal is a healthy breakfast choice that packs essential fiber, minerals, and vitamins.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dams. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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