as in isles
a fairly small area of land completely surrounded by water
the island of Hawaii is the largest in the Hawaiian archipelago
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Recent Examples of islands
Here are some of the most underrated islands in Italy.
—
Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
For example, small islands are far more abundant than large ones—a pattern of complexity that makes the distribution of sizes for Earth’s islands fractal, too.
—Alex Music, Scientific American, 16 May 2026
Indonesia is a country of 1,340 ethnic groups, more than 17,000 islands, and 718 local languages – representing roughly 10% of the world’s linguistic heritage – and Zon argues that the richness of that regional storytelling is precisely what differentiates Indonesian cinema internationally.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 May 2026
Today, his holdings stretch from massive waterfront estates to private islands across some of the world’s most exclusive destinations.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
Located in the South Pacific roughly halfway between New Zealand and Peru, the islands are among the most remote and sparsely populated places on Earth.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Day trips to the tiny Koufonissia islands (home to some of the clearest water in the Cyclades) are only possible via ferry at a handful of ports—Piso Livadi is one of them.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 14 May 2026
Key Background The MV Hondius left Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1 for the Canary Islands off the coast of northwestern Africa, visiting some of the world’s most remote islands along the way.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The 29-year-old travel content creator and photographer was spending 35 days crossing the Atlantic, visiting remote islands and drinking iced lattes.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
For example, small islands are far more abundant than large ones—a pattern of complexity that makes the distribution of sizes for Earth’s islands fractal, too.
—Alex Music, Scientific American, 16 May 2026
Indonesia is a country of 1,340 ethnic groups, more than 17,000 islands, and 718 local languages – representing roughly 10% of the world’s linguistic heritage – and Zon argues that the richness of that regional storytelling is precisely what differentiates Indonesian cinema internationally.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 May 2026
Today, his holdings stretch from massive waterfront estates to private islands across some of the world’s most exclusive destinations.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
Located in the South Pacific roughly halfway between New Zealand and Peru, the islands are among the most remote and sparsely populated places on Earth.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Day trips to the tiny Koufonissia islands (home to some of the clearest water in the Cyclades) are only possible via ferry at a handful of ports—Piso Livadi is one of them.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 14 May 2026
Key Background The MV Hondius left Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1 for the Canary Islands off the coast of northwestern Africa, visiting some of the world’s most remote islands along the way.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The 29-year-old travel content creator and photographer was spending 35 days crossing the Atlantic, visiting remote islands and drinking iced lattes.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for islands
Noun
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Block Island, Rhode Island Unlike the other big isles off southern New England, this offshore slice of the Ocean State has gone the extra mile to preserve its natural environment.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
-
The Best Wildlife Cruises Around the World From Arctic ice to equatorial isles, these wildlife cruises bring you face to face with the planet’s most extraordinary creatures.—
Hannah Towey,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This island is farther flung than most, but the 35-minute flight by seaplane from Mal gives a spectacular view of the atolls at 5000 feet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Republic of the Marshall Islands, or RMI, is situated roughly halfway between Hawaii and Australia and comprises 29 atolls, five islands, and 1,151 inlets, spread across 750,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean.—
Cheri Lucas Rowlands,
Longreads,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Nosy Iranja, Madagascar Off the coast of Madagascar, a lowering tide reveals two tiny islets from a sandbar.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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On the Peruvian side, travelers can visit the Uros floating islands, the artificial islets woven from totora reeds and home to communities that have lived here for centuries, then settle into a rustic homestay at Amantaní for a quieter look at life on the lake.—
Carla Vianna,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Islands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/islands. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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