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
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Recent Examples of dams
Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Who knows if that trip was key to fewer dams on the river today, but those fierce adversaries shared more river time than our leaders do today.
—Pete McBride, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
However, the dams are also a main culprit behind the decline of salmon, which regional tribes consider part of their cultural and spiritual identity.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The assumption was that beaches were shrinking due to the amount of sediment trapped inland in dams and erosion at the shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
The reservoir and its dams were built for water storage and power generation for the region, but also for flood control.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Slate roofing and commercial rubber roofing are particularly susceptible to ice dams, which can lead to costly repairs and even roof replacements if left untreated.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
Bollard walls can also act as dams during flash floods—like the one that occurred in Big Bend in 2025—trapping debris and causing severe erosion.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 20 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Although the primary job of Bureau of Reclamation is to operate dams to supply water and power, the Grand Canyon Protection Act requires it to balance those needs with environmental protection.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Who knows if that trip was key to fewer dams on the river today, but those fierce adversaries shared more river time than our leaders do today.
—Pete McBride, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
However, the dams are also a main culprit behind the decline of salmon, which regional tribes consider part of their cultural and spiritual identity.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The assumption was that beaches were shrinking due to the amount of sediment trapped inland in dams and erosion at the shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
The reservoir and its dams were built for water storage and power generation for the region, but also for flood control.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Slate roofing and commercial rubber roofing are particularly susceptible to ice dams, which can lead to costly repairs and even roof replacements if left untreated.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
Bollard walls can also act as dams during flash floods—like the one that occurred in Big Bend in 2025—trapping debris and causing severe erosion.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 20 Feb. 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
-
To reshape the Mountain View pond and reinforce levees against sea-level rise and storm surges, crews imported 180,000 cubic yards of fill dirt from local construction sites.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The channel is meant to boost flood control and replace aging levees built in the wake of the 1949 flood.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But there are also some less intensive procedures (like embolization, which blocks the blood vessels that feed the fibroids; and endometrial ablation, which uses electricity to remove the uterine lining) as well as hormonal medications that may not eliminate fibroids but can lessen the symptoms.—
Beth Krietsch,
SELF,
2 Mar. 2026
-
While Earth blocks some of the sun’s light, stray beams will pass around and through our atmosphere, turning the moon’s usually pearlescent surface red.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Naumann recommends starting with the roles a company fills most frequently, and identifying the skills and proficiency levelsrequired.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Chastain fills the container well-draining, loose potting mix that has been specifically formulated for vegetables.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Steep embankments, streams, and pond banks require extra caution.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
22 Feb. 2026
-
But the flooding would be less powerful than at the old site, Wing said, and its impact could be lessened by elevating the hospital or building earthen embankments.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
-
This constitutes a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, undermines the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and obstructs the establishment of their independent sovereign state .—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rorry Portable Wireless Charger Save yourself the trouble of a dead phone with this compact Rorry portable charger, which plugs directly into your phone—no cables needed.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Dec. 2025
-
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
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The floating center console creates handbag storage and an available dual pane sunroof floods the cabin with light.—
Scotty Reiss,
Parents,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The title floods the screen, in lavishly flowing script, a whopping 49 minutes into this 108-minute neo-noir, not far off the halfway mark.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its blend of grapefruit, lemon, and orange packs a zesty punch, while the jasmine base note adds a delicate, soft undertone.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Arugula With its specific, slightly bitter taste, arugula packs a strong nutritional punch, providing vitamins C, K, and A, as well as antioxidants.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dams. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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