as in cave
a naturally formed underground chamber with an opening to the surface
at the heart of the shrine is a small rocky grotto into which pilgrims can descend
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Recent Examples of grotto
For example, one Santa with hearing loss told grotto visitors that his cochlear implants were, in fact, microphones for speaking to their hardworking elves.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
The hillside grotto where Jesus and Mary are said to have rested is open to visitors but on a recent afternoon was deserted – with burned out candles evidence of prayers but not a single visitor.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025
One mansion, four sales The massive resort-style pool in the backyard is flanked by adult palms, a jumbo chess set, fire features, and a waterfall with a grotto below and a hot tub on top.
—Ray Parisi, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025
Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, which partners with Islander Watersports to offer excursions to scuba dive reefs, coral grottoes and shipwrecks just minutes from Pinney’s Beach.
—Adrienne Jordan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grotto
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
The hillside grotto where Jesus and Mary are said to have rested is open to visitors but on a recent afternoon was deserted – with burned out candles evidence of prayers but not a single visitor.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025
One mansion, four sales The massive resort-style pool in the backyard is flanked by adult palms, a jumbo chess set, fire features, and a waterfall with a grotto below and a hot tub on top.
—Ray Parisi, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025
Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, which partners with Islander Watersports to offer excursions to scuba dive reefs, coral grottoes and shipwrecks just minutes from Pinney’s Beach.
—Adrienne Jordan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grotto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotto
Noun
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Outer-glow-only caves under pressure.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
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The town is worth a trip in its own right, though, with an imposing 11th century castle and the world’s largest ice caves nearby.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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These caverns under sidewalks could be used for storage, and circular pieces of thick glass in the sidewalk added natural light to these eerie underground chambers.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
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Located at the base of a 100-foot water drainage pipe, the sprawling secret cavern also contained a home gym, armchair and television.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grotto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotto. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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