dock 1 of 3

noun

ˈdäk How to pronounce dock (audio)
Definition of docknext
as in wharf
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers the boat remained tied up at the dock for a week, waiting for the weather to clear

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dock

2 of 3

verb (1)

1
as in to shorten
to make less in extent or duration the editorial was docked by about a hundred words to make it fit on the page

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2
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument the boxer's tail was docked soon after birth

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dock

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to land
to stop at or near a place along the shore the cruise ship docked at the first port of call early the next morning

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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 dock
Noun
Rescues were reported in multiple counties on Saturday, including people found in floodwaters, clinging to a piece of a dock along the Freedom Trail Greenway in Burke County, officials say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 The Atlas system is the first-ever modular smart telescope system for Vaonis, with a base dock system fitted with two ports for connecting two imaging modules (an optical tube with a sensor). — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
Most cited Singer’s strong support for Israel as a reason for choosing him over Moskowitz, whose mere Democratic Party association seemed to dock him points with some in the crowd. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 The company’s barge, named You’ll Thank Me Later, has been making runs between the two states and recently docked to bring some construction material at KSC’s turn basin. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dock
  1. wharf
  2. shorten
  3. shave
  4. land
  5. pier
  6. cut back
  7. cut
  8. anchor
Noun
  • Newer signs taped to windows hope to stop the local wharf from becoming a corporate grain terminal.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Their transatlantic journey is slated to begin in Portsmouth, but once there Håkan loses sight of his brother in the crowds along the wharf.
    — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of wharf
Verb
  • This position causes the moonlight to pass through a denser layer of air, shortening blue and violet wavelengths and making the orange and red ones stand out — similar to a sunset.
    — Dharma Niles, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • With many drivers conserving fuel to shorten their first green-flag pit stop, Buescher, Preece and Keselowski broke from the pack with laps that were 10 seconds faster.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of shorten
Verb
  • While this isn’t limited to Apple’s own devices, the newest iPhone models will definitely carry the biggest value and shave the most off your new Duo.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Like almost winning a race, almost shaving a second off my time for the 3200m run, my event in high school, the one that got me into college, a recruit for someone else to gamble on.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Some demonstrators panicked as tear-gas canisters landed in their midst, scattering with screams.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Before Rover, success meant getting promotions, landing bigger clients and climbing the corporate ladder.
    — Sally Simmons, Contributor, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of land
Noun
  • In 2024, the city added about 200,000 cubic yards of sand near the pier and 37,000 cubic yards just up the coast at North Beach, the first step in what will be a decades-long process of restoring the beaches.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • That change is in part because the FOG Talks program will move from the back of that pier to a dedicated space, the Cowell Theater, which has 437 seats.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of pier
Verb
  • Buying Al Nassr would put RedBird at the center of Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar sports expansion, which had been on a tear before the government began cutting back on spending.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • That means choosing potassium-rich foods that support healthy blood pressure, like lentils and leafy greens, while cutting back on others that cardiologists recommend limiting.
    — Laura Bradley, HEALTH, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of cut back
Verb
  • The defense once again gave the offense an opportunity, forcing an Argyle punt, and this time, Heritage capitalized with a 2-yard rushing TD from Vargas to cut the lead to 7 points.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Later that month, Achilles, a university lecturer, cut a campaign ad in the spirit of a tongue-in-cheek corporate training video on how to avoid starting a foreign war.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • The difference between organizations that develop leaders effectively and those that spend without return is whether the development is anchored to an honest external baseline.
    — Aurelien Mangano, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The hotel can also arrange transportation by boat, helicopter, or private plane—alternatively, come by yacht and anchor down at the edge of the bay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of anchor

Browse Nearby Words

docility
dock
docked
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Cite this Entry

“Dock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dock. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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