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
Relevance
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
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 levees
The Stillaguamish Tribe has been buying riverfront land in its traditional territory and removing levees to turn farmland into wetland with the hope of restoring Chinook.
—
John Ryan, NPR, 3 May 2026
Constructing protective structures such as levees and dikes can help, as can preserving natural landscapes, such as wetlands and estuaries that can act as a natural sponge to absorb floodwaters, in and near the cities, Shao and her colleagues wrote.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Declines in groundwater levels have in recent years caused household wells to sputter and run dry, streams and wetlands to dry up, and land to sink, damaging canals and levees.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
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
John Ryan, NPR, 3 May 2026
Constructing protective structures such as levees and dikes can help, as can preserving natural landscapes, such as wetlands and estuaries that can act as a natural sponge to absorb floodwaters, in and near the cities, Shao and her colleagues wrote.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Declines in groundwater levels have in recent years caused household wells to sputter and run dry, streams and wetlands to dry up, and land to sink, damaging canals and levees.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levees
Noun
-
Drone strikes by the warring parties have targeted civilian infrastructure including hospitals, dams, schools, markets and displacement camps.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
-
Cheaper hydropower Low-head micro hydropower systems can generate up to 100 kilowatts (kW) of electricity at smaller dams and waterways.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
In San Isidro, a movement was born Castillo and Otero grew up in San Isidro, a working class, hardscrabble neighborhood abutting the wharfs near the Port of Havana, and became friends – one a rapper, the other a visual artist.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
The wharves and warehouses along Pratt Street burned fiercely.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the wake of the 2007 settlement, tents began to appear on the sidewalks, freeway embankments, overpasses, underpasses, civic plazas and public spaces everywhere in Los Angeles.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The East River Residence, which is suspended on thin columns, stretches across the valley like a bridge between two embankments, letting the terrain flow underneath it like water.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The project calls for lighting upgrades, outdoor fitness equipment, solar panels and additional boat slip renovations, including seawall improvements, docks and utilities.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
The Nautilus consisted of a large six-story main building, 19 single-family villas, a swimming pool, 52 cabanas and several docks, all spread out across 20 acres, including the small Johns and Collins islands in the bay.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The wide arches that lend their name to the structure are arranged between the bridge’s piers, with two rows of smaller arches along the top story around the deck.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
-
Anyone who’s seen 2021’s Riverside Main Library, an equally futuristic building elevated on piers, will recognize the Geffen as a distant cousin.—
David Allen,
Daily News,
23 Apr. 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 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
