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
Banking app Dave says its moat is its regulatory relationships and its credit underwriting.
—
Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Nature protects history and human life Inside the remarkable medieval settlement, archaeologists found moats, remains of buildings, and artifacts, 244 to be exact, including 66 knives, sickles, iron coulters, arrowheads, spearheads, and personal accessories were identified, as per Heritage Daily.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Mar. 2026
The moat will need to be refilled frequently and kept clean.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
Their plan is simply to build new AI models that will one day lead to those things (hopefully with a healthy moat).
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moat
Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Nature protects history and human life Inside the remarkable medieval settlement, archaeologists found moats, remains of buildings, and artifacts, 244 to be exact, including 66 knives, sickles, iron coulters, arrowheads, spearheads, and personal accessories were identified, as per Heritage Daily.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Mar. 2026
The moat will need to be refilled frequently and kept clean.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
Their plan is simply to build new AI models that will one day lead to those things (hopefully with a healthy moat).
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moat
Noun
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Afterward, Dole proposed to donate the dam, reservoir and ditch system to the state in exchange for an agreement to repair the spillway to meet and maintain dam safety standards.—
Audrey McAvoy,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
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Afterward, Dole proposed to donate the dam, reservoir and ditch system to the state in exchange for an agreement to repair the spillway to meet and maintain dam safety standards.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On Thursday morning, rescuers brought in excavators to dig a trench in front of the whale's head, while Lehmann approached the animal and guided the digging.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The intimate Marais shop boasts gems like a transparent vinyl Comme des Garçons trench and a Jean-Paul Gaultier striped dress with oversized hood, and also creates its own collections and collaborations with local designers, all made from upcycled material.—
Clara Giampellegrini,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Park staff in July partially opened the valve of the structure after heavy rain caused water levels to overflow the lake’s earthen dike, raising erosion concerns.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
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Refurbishment of the dike around the lake is finished, and a revision of the lake management rules went into effect in 2024.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At some point as the suspects fled westbound on the Interstate 30 service road, the ATM dislodged from the vehicle and came to rest in a culvert near an auto dealership, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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The greenway will be temporarily closed at a date to be announced so a new culvert can be built, according to NCDOT.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Great roles and performances, but, ha-ha, Phoenix earned his first Academy Award for Joker in 2020.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
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But funny ha-ha peculiar, just like the director.—
John Waters,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In 2024, Contra Costa County investigators searched a ravine and found the ladder Matthew Muller described using to climb into a family's house weeks after the March 2015 attack on Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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The trees, lining the base of the ravine at the park’s narrow creek, have been turned to stumps and piles of branches.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Clogged or Damaged Gutters and Drain Spouts Ice and snow can clog your gutters and drain spouts, causing water to overflow and create damage to your roof, siding, and landscape.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
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Ramon Ramirez Bloodsports This New York City band sings grandiose gutter rock that reminds you the human experience is suffering at every turn.—
Ramon Ramirez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moat. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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