as in ditch
a deep, wide excavation that is usually filled with water and that goes around the walls of a place (such as a castle) to protect it from being attacked
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Recent Examples of moat
The new entrances to the museum are also designed to be subterranean and added to the Louvre’s moat, which itself will be turned into a garden designed by BASE, a French landscape agency.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 19 May 2026
Sweet liquids that hummingbirds prefer can also attract ants and bees, but the smart design of this feeder with a moat and small feeding holes keeps unwanted pests away.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
What sounds like a chemical compound banned by the FDA may be the one true moat in AI.
—Sheon Han, Wired News, 11 May 2026
Use safe methods like ant moats, fishing line, diatomaceous earth, and repellent scents to block access.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for moat
News Desk, Artforum, 19 May 2026
Sweet liquids that hummingbirds prefer can also attract ants and bees, but the smart design of this feeder with a moat and small feeding holes keeps unwanted pests away.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
What sounds like a chemical compound banned by the FDA may be the one true moat in AI.
—Sheon Han, Wired News, 11 May 2026
Use safe methods like ant moats, fishing line, diatomaceous earth, and repellent scents to block access.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for moat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moat
Noun
-
The 22-year-old from Pennock, Minnesota, then went into the ditch and hit a tree before his vehicle rolled onto its side.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
If unable to reach a secure shelter, either crouch down in your car, covering your head, or abandon the vehicle and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The fifth robot is less effective, rolling onto its side in a trench, and the sixth intercepted by the Russians.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Bobby Brown, a fellow 2025 arrival, is nursing a minor calf injury as well, which has given Jackson the opportunity for extended reps with the top trench unit.—
Mike Kaye
May 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The ditch by the plant is connected to a dike system that runs through the city of Longview, which has a population of around 37,000, Stanfield said.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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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
Noun
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In Belgium, culvert removals in the Anlier forest are reconnecting smaller tributaries that play an important role in local biodiversity.—
Radina Gigova,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
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During the first trip when operations resumed, the crew encountered a severe washout where fire debris collected at a culvert.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Great roles and performances, but, ha-ha, Phoenix earned his first Academy Award for Joker in 2020.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But funny ha-ha peculiar, just like the director.—
John Waters,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2026
-
When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Crews also will be replacing underground utilities, and constructing curbs and gutters, between 16th Street and 24th Street in Fruitland, and between 3rd Avenue and 6th Avenue in Payette, the release said.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
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Colbert’s show even got higher ratings than other late night comedy shows, but that couldn’t pull it out of the financial gutter.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moat. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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