1
as in dams
a bank of earth constructed to control water
the raging floodwaters were too much for the levee to handle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in wharves
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers
we tied the boat up at the levee and started unloading the fish we had caught
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of levees
But farming communities nationwide have been adversely affected by the president's tariff policy, as global trading partners scaled back agricultural purchases like soybeans in retaliation for higher levees.
—
Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
California legislators on Tuesday voiced their support for Senate Bill 872 — a bill aimed at reinforcing Delta levees and the State Water Project by directing $300 million annually to the state’s water infrastructure upgrades and repairs.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Those canals, levees and roads broke up the natural flow of the water.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
To reshape the Mountain View pond and reinforce levees against sea-level rise and storm surges, crews imported 180,000 cubic yards of fill dirt from local construction sites.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
The channel is meant to boost flood control and replace aging levees built in the wake of the 1949 flood.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
But then the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 burst through levees in dozens of places.
—Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Bring a bicycle; the Fly is an easy access point for the Mississippi River Trail, a cycling path that follows the levees that loom by North America’s biggest river.
—Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
The new space, directly in front of the Trinity River levees and the miles of open space behind them, lends a feeling of fresh air to the ambient surroundings.
—Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
California legislators on Tuesday voiced their support for Senate Bill 872 — a bill aimed at reinforcing Delta levees and the State Water Project by directing $300 million annually to the state’s water infrastructure upgrades and repairs.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Those canals, levees and roads broke up the natural flow of the water.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
To reshape the Mountain View pond and reinforce levees against sea-level rise and storm surges, crews imported 180,000 cubic yards of fill dirt from local construction sites.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
The channel is meant to boost flood control and replace aging levees built in the wake of the 1949 flood.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
But then the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 burst through levees in dozens of places.
—Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Bring a bicycle; the Fly is an easy access point for the Mississippi River Trail, a cycling path that follows the levees that loom by North America’s biggest river.
—Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
The new space, directly in front of the Trinity River levees and the miles of open space behind them, lends a feeling of fresh air to the ambient surroundings.
—Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levees
Noun
-
Changing temperatures and shifting ice dams can push water underneath your shingles, leading to interior water leaks.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The BlueRibbon Coalition is undeterred, deliberately invoking the massive federal efforts that built the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams and filled Lake Powell and Lake Mead with Colorado River water.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The wharves and warehouses along Pratt Street burned fiercely.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The infrastructure humans build in the water ‒ houses, piers, wharves, jetties, and even oil rigs ‒ create new habitats for juvenile jellyfish, called polyps, to attach and grow, Bologna said.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Slopes or embankments are classified by their gradient (vertical rise over 100 feet).—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Breakfast patios overlook rafters drifting by; anglers cast from stone embankments; kayakers practice freestyle moves at the whitewater park in the middle of it all.—
Ted Alvarez,
Outside,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More and more, however, even entry-level robot vacuums come with docks that empty those dirt cups automatically, keeping the dirt in tanks or bags that can hold weeks’ worth of cleaning jobs.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Between damp docks, muddy trails, and the occasional drizzle, they were quickly soaked and scuffed.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Climb to the top of Oak Island Lighthouse, and fish off one of two piers.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Along with Sharon Lake and its accompanying trail reopening, the Sharon Lake Improvement Project has added new boardwalks over the water at the park, as well as fishing piers, a floating kayak launch and double the amount of wetlands.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wine is embedded in the city’s architecture, history and daily life, from grand 18th-century façades to the bustling quays of the Garonne.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
According to Vantor, the image shows the construction of a dry dock and new quays and piers at one of China’s most strategically important bases.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Levees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levees. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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