1
as in levees
a bank of earth constructed to control water
an elaborate system of dikes built to protect the lowlands from the relentless onslaught of the sea
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Recent Examples of dikes
Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
The dikes would consist of walls surrounding the city, separating it from the lagoon, Lionello said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Officials had worried that a system of dikes along the Skagit River would fail, and potentially inundate parts of Mount Vernon, a riverside town of about 35,000.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 13 Dec. 2025
Chinese mitten crabs burrow into levees, dikes, and stream banks, increasing erosion and threatening flood-control systems.
—Staff Author Updated, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
While the new dikes are funded by the federal government, the extensive reforestation efforts are privately covered by a non-governmental organization.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
Constructing protective structures such as levees and dikes can help, as can preserving natural landscapes, such as wetlands and estuaries that can act as a natural sponge to absorb floodwaters, in and near the cities, Shao and her colleagues wrote.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
The dikes would consist of walls surrounding the city, separating it from the lagoon, Lionello said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Officials had worried that a system of dikes along the Skagit River would fail, and potentially inundate parts of Mount Vernon, a riverside town of about 35,000.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 13 Dec. 2025
Chinese mitten crabs burrow into levees, dikes, and stream banks, increasing erosion and threatening flood-control systems.
—Staff Author Updated, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
While the new dikes are funded by the federal government, the extensive reforestation efforts are privately covered by a non-governmental organization.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dikes
Noun
-
Constructing protective structures such as levees and dikes can help, as can preserving natural landscapes, such as wetlands and estuaries that can act as a natural sponge to absorb floodwaters, in and near the cities, Shao and her colleagues wrote.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Declines in groundwater levels have in recent years caused household wells to sputter and run dry, streams and wetlands to dry up, and land to sink, damaging canals and levees.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lupines flourish in ditches and on highway embankments—especially north of Duluth along Highway 61, the Minnesota scenic byway that traces Lake Superior's north shore.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
20 Apr. 2026
-
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Stormwater captured in dams, reservoirs and spreading grounds figured out to be an amazing 185% of average for this time of year, the county reported.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In the United States these dams were built primarily to ease navigation, mitigate flooding, support irrigation, or generate hydroelectric power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Aquariums are positioned above these trenches such that flow through sea water and aquarium tank rinse water can be discharged directly to the collection system.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Hutton’s elegant-yet-tomboyish character spends the film in silks and trenches, with an iconic burgundy Bottega tucked beneath her arm.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the wake of the 2007 settlement, tents began to appear on the sidewalks, freeway embankments, overpasses, underpasses, civic plazas and public spaces everywhere in Los Angeles.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The East River Residence, which is suspended on thin columns, stretches across the valley like a bridge between two embankments, letting the terrain flow underneath it like water.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Keep moisture away from your home’s foundation by making sure gutters are clean and empty and using splash blocks at the end of downspouts.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Preservationists, the town and the property owner appear to have been at a stalemate since 2018, and walls are now covered in invasive vines, windows are broken out, gutters are dangling and paint has peeled off windowsills.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Neville hedges his bet by filling us in on Michaels’ spotlight apprehension, making his reticence a through line.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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Below the threshold, AI hedges your brand or ignores it.—
Jason BARNARD,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dikes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dikes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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