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
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Recent Examples of grottoes
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
The grottoes, just a half-mile in, are well worth visiting to see an example of the erosive powers of water and time.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 1 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
Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
The grottoes, just a half-mile in, are well worth visiting to see an example of the erosive powers of water and time.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 1 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
-
The idea is that the caves shall connect, & each comes to daylight at the present moment — Dinner!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
The rest of Curaçao’s eclectic must-dive list includes reefs, underwater caves, sunken ships, cars, and even an airplane wreck, all with healthy coral growth that attracts and sustains marine life.—
Erik Trinidad,
Travel + Leisure,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The garter snakes survive Manitoba's severe winters by hibernating in a network of limestone crevasses and caverns below the frost line.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
They’re designed to be that way and will probably continue to function as sonic caverns so long as current aesthetics are in fashion.—
Allyson Reedy,
Denver Post,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grottoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grottoes. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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