as in isles
a fairly small area of land completely surrounded by water
the island of Hawaii is the largest in the Hawaiian archipelago
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 islands
More atelier than dressing room, complete with three custom islands and watch drawers.
—
Natalie Hoberman,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Officially called Cabo Verde, with its population of about 500,000, the country is an archipelago of ten islands off the coast of West Africa.
—
Rebecca Hyman,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Peleliu, one of Palau’s islands, was occupied by the Japanese.
—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
The Exumas are a chain of 365 islands with secluded beaches and exclusive resorts, with popular activities like swimming and snorkeling, according to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
Given their distance from mainland markets and dependence on air and maritime connections, the costs for transport, housing and public services are much higher on islands than on the mainland.
—
ABC News,
26 June 2026
And France still had a major continental foothold in Louisiana, together with its hugely profitable sugar islands in the Caribbean.
—
David Armitage,
Washington Post,
26 June 2026
But visiting Hawaii’s museums can provide a deeper understanding of the islands’ history, and all the ways its people, land, and traditions continue to influence the Aloha State.
—
Sharael Kolberg,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
The islands are wildlife sanctuaries.
—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
Natalie Hoberman,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Officially called Cabo Verde, with its population of about 500,000, the country is an archipelago of ten islands off the coast of West Africa.
—
Rebecca Hyman,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Peleliu, one of Palau’s islands, was occupied by the Japanese.
—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
The Exumas are a chain of 365 islands with secluded beaches and exclusive resorts, with popular activities like swimming and snorkeling, according to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
Given their distance from mainland markets and dependence on air and maritime connections, the costs for transport, housing and public services are much higher on islands than on the mainland.
—
ABC News,
26 June 2026
And France still had a major continental foothold in Louisiana, together with its hugely profitable sugar islands in the Caribbean.
—
David Armitage,
Washington Post,
26 June 2026
But visiting Hawaii’s museums can provide a deeper understanding of the islands’ history, and all the ways its people, land, and traditions continue to influence the Aloha State.
—
Sharael Kolberg,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
The islands are wildlife sanctuaries.
—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for islands
Noun
-
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.
-
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.
Noun
-
Hawkes was born in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and adopted as a baby by an American family who raised him in Utah, thousands of miles from the coral atolls of his birthplace.
-
Darwin suspected that atolls formed when coral grew around volcanoes, creating a ring that remained when the volcano subsided.
Noun
-
Last year, Centara opened two new resorts in the North Male Atoll, a chain of over 50 islands and islets that’s home to mesmerising corals and marine life.
-
La Romana's proximity to the pristine beaches of Saona Island and Catalina Island, two hidden islets that are easily accessible by boat, make this destination a must-see for travelers looking to explore beyond the typical tourist routes.
Cite this Entry
“Islands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/islands. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
