as in ponds
a large area of water that is surrounded by land
They own a cottage on the lake. the shores of the lake
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Recent Examples of lakes
As its name suggests, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve has its fair share of lakes.
—
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Shale forms from layers of fine sediment deposited in ancient lakes or seas, where low-oxygen conditions allow organic matter to accumulate and, over millions of years, generate oil within the rock.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 12 Jan. 2026
When stormwater dirtied by road runoff, failing septic tanks and fertilizer sullied crystal-clear rivers and lakes, and nobody cared.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
New delivery and storage mechanisms for both lakes.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create hazardous conditions for small craft.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
As rain inundates rivers and lakes already filled to the brim, flash flooding is possible in areas around the coast, including in Los Angeles.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
In Russia, celebrants observe the holiday by taking part in the Eastern Orthodox tradition of baptizing themselves in cold lakes.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
One source of water for wildlife to drink and bathe in, which could be a birdbath, rain garden, a seasonal pool or natural water sources like rivers and lakes that are near but not on a property.
—Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Shale forms from layers of fine sediment deposited in ancient lakes or seas, where low-oxygen conditions allow organic matter to accumulate and, over millions of years, generate oil within the rock.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 12 Jan. 2026
When stormwater dirtied by road runoff, failing septic tanks and fertilizer sullied crystal-clear rivers and lakes, and nobody cared.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
New delivery and storage mechanisms for both lakes.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create hazardous conditions for small craft.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
As rain inundates rivers and lakes already filled to the brim, flash flooding is possible in areas around the coast, including in Los Angeles.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
In Russia, celebrants observe the holiday by taking part in the Eastern Orthodox tradition of baptizing themselves in cold lakes.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
One source of water for wildlife to drink and bathe in, which could be a birdbath, rain garden, a seasonal pool or natural water sources like rivers and lakes that are near but not on a property.
—Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lakes
Noun
-
But the lagoons at the mouth of coastal creeks such as Aliso Creek and nearby San Mateo Creek are usually closed off from the sea by sand that builds up.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Tofinu took refuge in the lagoons along the Bight of Benin, a core area of the slave trade, venturing forth in canoes with harpoons, javelins, and swords to fight off raiders from powerful nearby kingdoms.—
Laurent Dubois,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The stones stand between two lochs on the largest of the Orkney Islands, off the northeastern tip of mainland Scotland.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
-
What with its rippling mountains, meditative lochs, and misty woodlands, Scotland’s moody atmosphere hits its stride in the cooler seasons.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Everglades restoration involves removing as many of these dams as possible without risking flood control, while adding more reservoirs for water storage, all to revive a river of grass that flows once more.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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During wet winters, dam operators often let water out of reservoirs to make room for future rainfall.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lakes. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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