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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 grotto
Highlights include Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, the cliffside grottoes of Dunhuang, and a camel ride across the dunes of the Gobi Desert.
—
Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
For example, a fresco of Thecla – along with her mother and Paul – is depicted in a fifth- or sixth-century grotto just outside of Ephesus, an important city both in the Roman Empire and in early Christianity.
—Christy Cobb, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
From the mud baths of Lo Specchio di Venere to Bagno Ascuitto’s hot-steam grotto, Pantelleria’s fringes constitute a natural spa with gurgling thermal waters.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for grotto
Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
For example, a fresco of Thecla – along with her mother and Paul – is depicted in a fifth- or sixth-century grotto just outside of Ephesus, an important city both in the Roman Empire and in early Christianity.
—Christy Cobb, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
From the mud baths of Lo Specchio di Venere to Bagno Ascuitto’s hot-steam grotto, Pantelleria’s fringes constitute a natural spa with gurgling thermal waters.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for grotto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotto
Noun
-
That doesn’t mean the 77,100-acre oasis of craggy peaks, maze-like caves, and alpine lakes is any less enchanting.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Located in the northeastern part of the Buckeye State, this day-use state park rocks similar rugged cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and caves without the overcrowded parking lots.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Located between the Sahara tent and the Do Lab, the Bunker is a gigantic subterranean cavern with room for 300 or so people — a dark and cool respite from the blazing Indio sun.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The caverns boast 4 miles of cave passages, as well as over 400 acres aboveground.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grotto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotto. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
