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
This creates a moat that grass roots will struggle to get across.
—
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
It can also be hung from a tree or fence and features an ant moat to keep insects out.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025
Another federal judge found last year that Google engaged in anticompetitive conduct by building a moat around its monopoly over search, saying that customers got a lower-quality experience on the internet.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Once an important feudal stronghold deep in the Japanese Alps, Matsumoto is known today for its towering castle; arguably the most stunning fortification in the entire country with its black-onyx trim and turquoise moat filled with curious koi.
—Brandon Presser, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moat
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
It can also be hung from a tree or fence and features an ant moat to keep insects out.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025
Another federal judge found last year that Google engaged in anticompetitive conduct by building a moat around its monopoly over search, saying that customers got a lower-quality experience on the internet.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Once an important feudal stronghold deep in the Japanese Alps, Matsumoto is known today for its towering castle; arguably the most stunning fortification in the entire country with its black-onyx trim and turquoise moat filled with curious koi.
—Brandon Presser, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moat
Noun
-
Stay informed and follow these tips from the NWS to ensure safety during heavy rainfall: Beware of swollen waterways: Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
25 May 2025
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Here’s your guide from the NWS to staying safe during downpours: Beware of rapid water flow: During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Bieber has proven time and time again that a floor-dusting trench goes with everything—including jorts and fisherman sandals.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
20 May 2025
-
Most of the active coronae were encircled by trenches, a hint that old crust dives into Venus’s mantle around these rocky rings, where it is driven downward as buoyant rock rises from below in the middle of each corona’s ring structure.—
Elise Cutts,
Scientific American,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
In the short run, adaptation—dikes and levees to protect flood-prone cities, relocating residences away from eroding coasts—can help.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
30 May 2025
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In addition, their burrows can damage or weaken levees, dikes and stream banks.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
Stay informed and follow these tips from the NWS to ensure safety during heavy rainfall: Beware of swollen waterways: During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
1 June 2025
-
Follow these recommendations from the NWS to stay safe in heavy rain: Beware of swollen waterways: Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
Photo : Will Eastwick-Field; Savills Terraced lawns lead to a ha-ha at the garden’s southern edge.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
12 May 2025
-
This is the sequel’s real ha-ha-ha punchline.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
The cyclist was helped from the ravine and emergency services transported him on a stretcher to the hospital.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
The developer also would improve and widen streets, including Burlington Avenue and Tuthill Road, to meet city standards, with a 28-foot width, curbs, gutters and storm sewer infrastructure, said Vince Rosanova, attorney for the project.—
Marie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The city asked for a new curb and gutter and sidewalk across the length of the frontage, which would destroy the trees there.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moat. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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