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
Both Britain and Argentina have historic claims to the islands, and the two countries fought a short but fierce war in 1982 after Argentina tried to seize control of them.
—
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 Apr. 2026
The water park is the big project that needs completing to put NCL and Royal Caribbean’s islands head to head.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Don’t forget about the Bay State’s family-friendly islands, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, when considering a Massachusetts beach vacation as well.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
The islands, a British territory off the coast of Argentina, are claimed and widely recognized as belonging to the British Crown.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
If that is true, the trees couldn’t be much more than 13,000 years old (since this is the oldest human date from the islands).
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
This year’s list covers the latest and greatest, including a New York icon back after an eight-year renovation, the properties redefining wellness, tiny but mighty dining rooms punching above their weight, and ships reacquainting us with beloved Caribbean islands.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
One of the challenges of this new novel was matching its heartbeat to the rhythm of the islands.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government are not completely scrapping the plan to hand the islands to Mauritius.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 Apr. 2026
The water park is the big project that needs completing to put NCL and Royal Caribbean’s islands head to head.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Don’t forget about the Bay State’s family-friendly islands, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, when considering a Massachusetts beach vacation as well.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
The islands, a British territory off the coast of Argentina, are claimed and widely recognized as belonging to the British Crown.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
If that is true, the trees couldn’t be much more than 13,000 years old (since this is the oldest human date from the islands).
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
This year’s list covers the latest and greatest, including a New York icon back after an eight-year renovation, the properties redefining wellness, tiny but mighty dining rooms punching above their weight, and ships reacquainting us with beloved Caribbean islands.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
One of the challenges of this new novel was matching its heartbeat to the rhythm of the islands.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government are not completely scrapping the plan to hand the islands to Mauritius.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for islands
Noun
-
The Greek isles have a rhythm all their own and the best Mykonos Airbnbs are some of the finest ways to soak in all of that otherworldly seaside beauty for yourself.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Hassan Hakmoun and Adam Rudolph’s score circumnavigates the Mediterranean — a sea which touches Duato’s native Spain, North Africa, the Greek isles, Turkey, Syria, Israel and Gaza.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pritzker Prize–winning architect Tadao Ando designed the Naoshima New Museum of Art, which opened last May, overlooking the remote atolls of the Seto Inland Sea.—
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans,
Robb Report,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The atolls and rocks that made up the Chagos Archipelago offered more meager economic possibilities.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Although it was affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Siesta Key—part of a string of islets along Florida’s southwest coast—is well on its way to recovery.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Toward Smarter Cell Therapies That is where the cyborg islets from Liu and Alvarez could make a difference.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Islands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/islands. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
