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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of dams
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
The moniker beaver moon marks the time of year when beavers begin preparing for the winter by fortifying dams and lodges and stocking up on food.
—Gina Park, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Both are wild and scenic rivers with no dams.
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
The November full moon’s name stems from the fact that beavers start to take shelter in their dams around this time of year, according to the Almanac.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
The cold frost on the grass gives beavers the signal to build their dams before the ground freezes, which is where the Beaver Moon name derives from.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
But a lot of the dams are in bad shape.
—Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
The technology automatically adjusts mooring line length in response to water-level changes, maintaining consistent tension and improving the reliability of floating solar installations on dams and reservoirs.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Policies that favored building new dams and drilling deep wells over maintaining infrastructure and promoting conservation have left the country facing severe water shortages.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
The moniker beaver moon marks the time of year when beavers begin preparing for the winter by fortifying dams and lodges and stocking up on food.
—Gina Park, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Both are wild and scenic rivers with no dams.
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
The November full moon’s name stems from the fact that beavers start to take shelter in their dams around this time of year, according to the Almanac.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
The cold frost on the grass gives beavers the signal to build their dams before the ground freezes, which is where the Beaver Moon name derives from.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
But a lot of the dams are in bad shape.
—Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
The technology automatically adjusts mooring line length in response to water-level changes, maintaining consistent tension and improving the reliability of floating solar installations on dams and reservoirs.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 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
-
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
-
Scruton and his team had a weekend to remove the trees, mud, dirt and embankments.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
3 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 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 12 Nov. 2025.
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