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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dams
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
The researchers cite warming temperatures as the primary contributor to river heat waves, but also say agriculture and the building of dams play roles as well.
—New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025
In 1972, the Buffalo became the first national river in America, a designation that allowed its unique waters to remain naturally dependent on rainfall without any dams.
—Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Doing so is difficult; such dams are often washed out in each new big storm.
—Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
People along the river are gravely worried about the fate of their lifeline, and what would happen if the river quits flowing through its two major dams and quits flowing through faucets.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The habitat corridors needed to support thriving populations of jaguars and dolphins and productive fisheries are threatened by both deforestation and construction of hydropower dams.
—Jeff Opperman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
If surface levels drop further, hydropower generation at both the Hoover and Glen Canyon dams could be compromised.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The Bureau of Reclamation manages water resources and operates irrigation systems, dams, canals and other infrastructure in the West.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 16 Sep. 2025
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Along the way, visitors may spot signs of the sanctuary’s most visible resident, the beaver, from impressive dams to cleverly constructed dens and lodges, as well as birds such as the snow goose, lapland longspur, and chimney swift.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
The researchers cite warming temperatures as the primary contributor to river heat waves, but also say agriculture and the building of dams play roles as well.
—New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025
In 1972, the Buffalo became the first national river in America, a designation that allowed its unique waters to remain naturally dependent on rainfall without any dams.
—Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Doing so is difficult; such dams are often washed out in each new big storm.
—Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
People along the river are gravely worried about the fate of their lifeline, and what would happen if the river quits flowing through its two major dams and quits flowing through faucets.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The habitat corridors needed to support thriving populations of jaguars and dolphins and productive fisheries are threatened by both deforestation and construction of hydropower dams.
—Jeff Opperman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
If surface levels drop further, hydropower generation at both the Hoover and Glen Canyon dams could be compromised.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The Bureau of Reclamation manages water resources and operates irrigation systems, dams, canals and other infrastructure in the West.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 16 Sep. 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
-
The new levees will replace old dirt berms that are 6 to 10 feet high.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
In 1907, Grand Island levees were raised after a flood.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Deep below the surface of the earth, disaster strikes when a rock falls and blocks their route back to the surface.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Typically, these formations have porous rock layers overlaid by impermeable rock that blocks upward movement.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The series begins before Gein has ever killed, in 1945, as dawning awareness of death camps in Europe fills the air with sadism and conspiracy thinking.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Then vice-captain Theo Hernandez in the summer and so in addition to his apparent timelessness on the pitch, Modric fills the leadership gap left by Simon Kjaer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Daniel picks it up, plugs it in, and looks through it.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Using a traditional electronic device cord, the owner plugs an inductive charging plate into an outlet.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In shocking footage posted on Facebook, large waves are seen breaking through the glass doors of the lobby as water rushes in and quickly floods the hotel.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Bright sunlight floods the sensors with background noise, surface reflections distort the signal, and long-distance measurements require higher stability than short-range indoor use.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Best for Family Game Night This electronic cube packs six mini-games into one, giving families a quick way to connect without screens.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
-
This naturally gluten-free carb source packs 38% of the magnesium DV per cup, surpassing the amount found in more popular grains and pseudocereals like quinoa and oats.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dams. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share