narrows 1 of 2

plural noun

as in strait
a narrow body of water between two land masses we had to cautiously navigate our dinghy through the narrows before reaching the open water of the bay

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

narrows

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of narrow
as in tightens

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrows
  1. tightens
  2. constricts
  3. hinders
  4. lessens
  5. impedes
  6. obstructs
  7. restricts
  8. hampers
Verb
  • The emergence of alternative models comes as corporate America tightens its belt on AI spending, and presents another challenge for OpenAI and Anthropic, which have flourished over the past few years by selling the most cutting-edge technology.
    — Deirdre Bosa,Jasmine Wu, CNBC, 10 July 2026
  • Your 3rd House of Communication tightens as the vibrant Sun activates it and clashes with restrictive Saturn in your 12th House of Solitude.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
Definition of tightens
Verb
  • This stress response constricts blood vessels and accelerates heart rate, which can contribute to blood pressure spikes.
    — Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 11 June 2026
  • The coldness of the water constricts arteries, requiring the heart to work harder than normal to function.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of constricts
Verb
  • Such realism, buttressed by frank discussions of perimenopause and other facts of midlife, helps rather than hinders the show’s ability to transport.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • This misalignment generates contradictory messages, hinders decision-making and ultimately creates confusion throughout the organization.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of hinders
Verb
  • For greater tensile strength, the Bluesign partner is using looms from Muller and Kyang Yhe to create webbing with an even density that lessens the amount the material lengthens when under tension.
    — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
  • Unfiltered water, Adams insists, leads to sediment buildup in your water heater, which shortens its lifespan and lessens its heating efficiency.
    — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 28 June 2026
Definition of lessens
Verb
  • The majority opinion, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, largely adopted the First Amendment argument that the limit impedes political parties’ ability to advocate for their candidates.
    — John J. Martin, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
  • Human existence senses that something impedes it from subsisting.
    — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 28 June 2026
Definition of impedes
Verb
  • Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
  • Anatasia steals a truck and obstructs their path, sacrificing herself to a bleak future, all in the name of love.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 10 July 2026
Definition of obstructs
Verb
  • Anything that restricts the plant roots’ ability to take up water also reduces the amount of nutrients a plant receives.
    — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • Fresco also offers vector brushes, whereas Procreate restricts vector layers to text only.
    — Shelby Putnam Tupper, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026
Definition of restricts
Verb
  • Neighbors of the state park who have become accustomed to spontaneous visits found that the new system hampers their ability to make a last-minute trip.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of hampers
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.

Browse Nearby Words

narrowness
narrows
narrows (down)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Narrows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrows. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on narrows

Nglish: Translation of narrows for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dog days

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All