moat

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Sure enough, the scans and photos showed traces of ancient Roman walls, a moat and several entrances. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025 Put simply: Every interaction is more data that can be added to the moat. Barry Libert, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 Choose a feeder with an ant moat cup that hangs above the nectar container. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 May 2025 The only economic moat leading AI labs possess is virtually unlimited access to capital, according to Benedict Evans. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for moat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moat
Noun
  • Excessive rainfall may flood roadside ditches causing debris to be washed onto the highway.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
  • Her friend slammed the brakes, and the vehicle skidded into a ditch, then flipped.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • First responders located a trench approximately 90 feet long, five feet wide and five feet deep that been excavated to connect a private residence’s sewer system to the city sewer line, Wright said.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
  • The video showed soldiers being instructed on firing grenade launchers, neutralizing enemy drones and clearing trenches.
    Isabel van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • During the evening hours, the Colt dike breaks, and two are drowned.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
  • Minute-scale dynamics of recurrent dike intrusions in Iceland with fiber-optic geodesy UNESCO.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Follow these recommendations from the NWS to stay safe in heavy rain: Beware of rapid water flow: In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.
    Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 10 June 2025
  • 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.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 9 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
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2025
  • Intense rainfall, as common in tropical latitudes, and water vapor in the eruption column can mix with volcanic ash and debris, forming deadly mudflows called lahars by geologists after an Indonesian word for ravines on the slopes of a volcano.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Cuban treefrogs tend to lay their eggs in small artificial water sources, such as buckets, bird baths, ornamental ponds, clogged gutters, rain barrels, flower pots, kiddie pools, and water troughs.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
  • During a previous hearing, applicant Brian Will — who as DPR chairman recused himself from the committee’s discussion and vote — said the city of San Diego is requesting installation of a sidewalk, curb and gutter as part of the project, though there are no other sidewalks in the immediate area.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moat. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on moat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!