variants
also grottos
as in caves
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 grottoes
Boats depart from here for island tours, including to the famous Blue Grotto and other smaller grottoes and coves.
—
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2026
For Reykjavik native Gulla Jónsdóttir, the Aurora Borealis phenomena, molten-red erupting volcanoes, black sand shores and hot water grottoes were part of everyday life growing up.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
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
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
To keep things fresh, producers have ventured into hitherto uncharted baking grottoes.
—Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2026
For Reykjavik native Gulla Jónsdóttir, the Aurora Borealis phenomena, molten-red erupting volcanoes, black sand shores and hot water grottoes were part of everyday life growing up.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
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
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
To keep things fresh, producers have ventured into hitherto uncharted baking grottoes.
—Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grottoes
Noun
-
With 30 miles of trails suited for all levels, there are so many ways for visitors to explore the rocky spires, grasslands, and talus caves—Bear Gulch Cave to the east and Balconies Cave to the west.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2026
-
In December 2017, Said took some of his executives on a corporate retreat on the Iranian island of Qeshm, a fishing community with salt caves, mangrove forests, and dramatic canyons.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Travelers can also enjoy nearby cenotes, natural swimming holes often found inside limestone caverns, and explore the Yucatán region’s iconic Mayan ruins.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2026
-
Water is a constant threat The men became trapped during an expedition to find gold within the cramped and muddy underground caverns.—
Kocha Olarn,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grottoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grottoes. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
