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
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
Install an Ant Moat Ant moats are little basins that hold water that are hung above hummingbird feeders.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
Impact on China services, capital expenditure volatility, lack of a real moat like ASML.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
There is a technological moat, for now, but if the market for legged robots follows the same trajectory as the market for drones did, that moat will shrink drastically over the next few years.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moat
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Mar. 2026
Install an Ant Moat Ant moats are little basins that hold water that are hung above hummingbird feeders.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
Impact on China services, capital expenditure volatility, lack of a real moat like ASML.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
There is a technological moat, for now, but if the market for legged robots follows the same trajectory as the market for drones did, that moat will shrink drastically over the next few years.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moat
Noun
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The sweet steam mixed with the sour smell of leaves in ditches and marshy places along the creek.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
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If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and shield your head, or leave your vehicle and find shelter in a ditch or ravine.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Just offshore, Mafia Island Marine Park is home to vibrant coral reef systems and elaborate trenches ideal for diving.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
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The most common is to apply liquid termiticide in a trench in the soil around your house.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 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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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
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The entire structure – including substructure, culvert and guard rails – is in need of an overhaul.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But funny ha-ha peculiar, just like the director.—
John Waters,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
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Is there anything in the wings at the IRS that will provide some guidance as to the taxable or nontaxable (ha-ha) nature of that lump sum?—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and shield your head, or leave your vehicle and find shelter in a ditch or ravine.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
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Shingles may crack or loosen, ice can harm flashing, and gutters can sag under frozen debris.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moat. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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