as in canyon
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
the gulch floods in the spring with the runoff from the mountains, so wait until later in the summer to hike it
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 gulch
In the 1910s, Bisbee packed some 35 nationalities onto ledges and into its gulches and streets, with Mexican and Balkan miners among the largest groups, most of them working at Phelps Dodge’s Copper Queen Mine.
—
Masha Hamilton, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2026
Farther up the gulch, the water formed a pool, which gave off a rank chemical smell.
—Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 29 Oct. 2025
There were more creeks, high hills, big parks, passes, and open mountainsides with broken, timbered canyons and gulches.
—Fred C. Mercer, Outdoor Life, 14 Aug. 2025
Mandatory evacuations were active along the Colorado 13 corridor from the White River near Meeker to south of Piceance Creek Road in Garfield County, parts of Rio Blanco County east of Willow Creek and south of Piceance Creek, and gulches west of Colorado 13.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gulch
Masha Hamilton, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2026
Farther up the gulch, the water formed a pool, which gave off a rank chemical smell.
—Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 29 Oct. 2025
There were more creeks, high hills, big parks, passes, and open mountainsides with broken, timbered canyons and gulches.
—Fred C. Mercer, Outdoor Life, 14 Aug. 2025
Mandatory evacuations were active along the Colorado 13 corridor from the White River near Meeker to south of Piceance Creek Road in Garfield County, parts of Rio Blanco County east of Willow Creek and south of Piceance Creek, and gulches west of Colorado 13.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gulch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gulch
Noun
-
Mesa Verde continues to hold great cultural significance for the 27 pueblos and tribes whose ancestors once called the canyons, farms, cliffside and mesa dwellings home or who have other ties to the area.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
In late afternoon, about 44 firefighters were working to knock down flames in the canyon’s steep and rocky terrain, the department said.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
-
Between them sits a dry ravine, or barranca.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Motorists traveling in these areas this morning, including I-26 in the Asheville and Hendersonville areas, and I-40 through the Pigeon River gorge should use extra caution.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
-
Most long-distance Amtrak trains feature Sightseer Lounges with floor-to-ceiling glass domed windows, perfect for taking in the soaring desert canyons, rugged mountain ranges, and towering river gorges, all from the comfort of your seat.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
-
Though farming has long shaped the valley, Pemberton has become a base for those drawn to the outdoors.—
Vivian Chung,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gulch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gulch. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
