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
January is breeding season for the invasive snakes in Florida, and the species is known to congregate in breeding balls on elevated levees and tree islands.
—
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Now, though levees may not exactly be back, royal affectations and the disputes that go with them are.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Since then, there have been major improvements in modernizing the levees and flood risk management.
—Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
The idea was to reconnect the community to the river after it was cut off when the earthen levees were built following the 1949 flood.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
Some levees are inspected regularly.
—Farshid Vahedifard, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
Boxed in by the two rivers, Marysville resembles an island of sorts, surrounded by a ring of levees.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Now, though levees may not exactly be back, royal affectations and the disputes that go with them are.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Since then, there have been major improvements in modernizing the levees and flood risk management.
—Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
The idea was to reconnect the community to the river after it was cut off when the earthen levees were built following the 1949 flood.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
Some levees are inspected regularly.
—Farshid Vahedifard, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
Boxed in by the two rivers, Marysville resembles an island of sorts, surrounded by a ring of levees.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levees
Noun
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As divided as the country was fifty years ago, things seemed to fall into place in the months leading up to July 4, with Americans getting a nightly history refresher via CBS’s Bicentennial Minutes and everything from fire hydrants to giant dams painted in the red, white and blue.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 Jan. 2026
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Work on the ground after a fire needs to happen quickly — within the first few years — and designing and constructing dams can take time and be expensive.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Decades ago, farmers built simple earthen embankments to protect their fields and livestock from seasonal flooding.—
Farshid Vahedifard,
The Conversation,
29 Dec. 2025
-
In Prague, large concrete blocks have been placed along popular embankments and around key foot-traffic areas, while police have increased patrols to monitor potential targets.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach take turns transforming into floating marketplaces — docks converted to catwalks, hulls polished to reflective arrogance, sales reps who can quote fuel burn like yacht owners care about costs.—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Private boats can also pull up for the day—anchor offshore or tie up at the public docks on the east and west sides, which are first-come, first-served.—
Heema Patel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Stay off of jetties, piers, rocks, and other waterside infrastructure.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
During that time, people are advised to stay off jetties, piers, rocks and other waterside infrastructure as sneaker waves could run much farther up than usual.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
-
Seaports will have nearby seabed dredged and quays constructed to accommodate naval and transport vessels.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Levees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levees. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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