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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for grotto
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
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
See All Example Sentences for grotto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotto
Noun
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Ecologists have been trying to protect the delicate caves for years as development and pollution increasingly threaten the underwater waterways.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
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Though an occasional cellphone or refrigerator does make an appearance, Salvation takes place against an epic, timeless canvas, one filled with torchlit gatherings, solitary figures lurking in caves, and ghostly hallucinations.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In short, the cavern becomes an underground energy reserve — a battery, but on a geological scale.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
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The 100-acre limestone cavern has more than 17 miles of underground passageways and is home to Mega Zip Lines tour, Mega Quest ropes course, Mega Walking tours and Mega Tram tours.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grotto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotto. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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