moat

noun

Definition of moatnext
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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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 moat The tools cost next to nothing, yet the moat belongs to whoever starts compiling first. — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Who survives Over 50 years ago, Charlie Munger convinced his best friend, Warren Buffett, to ditch the proverbial cheap cigar butts for buying durable, high-quality businesses, centered around their economic moat. — Sanjot Malhi, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 Ant moats are the most effective way of keeping ants out of the feeder if the ants don’t have an alternate route. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 Stone walls extend beyond the house into the gardens, while a dry stone moat runs along the front with a bridge leading to the entrance. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for moat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moat
  1. ditch
  2. trench
  3. dike
  4. culvert
  5. ha-ha
  6. ravine
  7. gutter
Noun
  • The trio were found hiding in a ditch about 200 yards from where they were pulled over, according to the news release.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The deceased victim was allegedly taking a smoke break while working on a rental property when at least five stray dogs lunged at him and dragged him across the street into a ditch, according to KMOV.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ditch
Noun
  • Firefighters hacked through wood, slate and concrete trench lines, a process the Reserve Organization of America says likely generated silica-containing dust.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The front office also re-signed key interior trench pieces, keeping offensive guard Sam Cosmi locked up alongside defensive tackle Daron Payne, while adding offensive line depth with veteran additions to protect Daniels.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of trench
Noun
  • Chinese Nationalist forces breached the river’s dikes near Huayuankou to slow advancing Japanese troops.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Like many inland dikes, the barrier in agricultural fields near the small town of Waddinxveen, east of The Hague, is made of peat that needs to be damp to be strong enough to hold back water.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of dike
Noun
  • Ducking into Maryam Lashkari, Hodjat Salimi and Oscar Tuazon’s interactive sculpture — an enormous cardboard tube lying on its side — feels like entering a culvert or a bomb shelter.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In particular, Gastevich said the flooding problems have been created because of a blockage of the nearby Kemper Ditch and a culvert.
    — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of culvert
Noun
  • Brazilian fandom is a funny thing, both in its complexity — Brazil, as one of its great cultural figures once said, is not for beginners — and in the ha-ha sense.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 25 June 2026
  • Workers repairing a ha-ha, a ditch traditionally used to contain livestock without interrupting the view across an estate, uncovered a tunnel entrance, along with Tudor-era artifacts including pottery, bones, and glass bottles.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 15 June 2026
Definition of ha-ha
Noun
  • Many more were imperiled by muddy water racing through the narrow ravines, sparking frantic rescue missions for dozens.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The helicopter then returned to the ravine and carried out the same technical maneuver to bring the second climber to safety.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of ravine
Noun
  • This includes checking around your property for leaks affecting your gutters, pools, buckets, and other areas where water can collect.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
  • So spots like gutters, soffits, and even exhaust vents are appealing to them.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of gutter

Browse Nearby Words

moans
moat
moats
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Cite this Entry

“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moat. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on moat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about moat

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