river

noun

Definition of rivernext
1
as in canal
a passageway for water A fallen tree branch was floating down the river.

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2
as in stream
an overwhelming flow or rush of something Jet streams can be thought of as giant rivers of air that circulate around the globe. He was overwhelmed by the river of new information that the document dump provided.

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Dissimilar Words

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 river At the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Osprey Fountains features a lazy river, resort-style pool and sports courts. — Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 The plan sets limits on how the river would be operated, and envisages water shortages of up to 3 million acre-feet per year in the three Lower Basin states. — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026 Crystal tells him Anna escaped, jumping into the river hours earlier. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 The 120 guests will be cared for by 54 crew members, resulting in what the studio says is one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios on any river cruise ship. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for river
Recent Examples of Synonyms for river
  1. canal
  2. stream
  3. waterway
  4. flood
  5. rivulet
  6. tide
Noun
  • Water authorities trying to maintain adequate supplies of fresh water have banned farmers in some parts of the country from pumping water out of canals to irrigate their crops.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Stephanie Gavan is a freelance writer and editor from Liverpool with a background in contemporary art and a deep affection for Italy, having spent years living among the canals of Venice.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of canal
Noun
  • With no bright moon competing against faint meteors, observers under rural skies could see 60 to 100 meteors per hour, while even suburban observers should enjoy a steady stream of shooting stars.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • City officials and neighbors assert that the constant stream of vehicles at the charging stations create light and sound pollution and cause undue traffic congestion on the streets and nearby alleys, creating a collective bother and disruption.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of stream
Noun
  • Environmental groups estimate, using methods developed by the EPA, that unregulated businesses have been responsible for 30% to 60% of copper and zinc found in waterways, which at high concentrations are toxic to fish and other animals.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • Eighty percent of China’s oil imports arrive through the Strait of Malacca, a narrow waterway that could be cut off in the event of a conflict over Taiwan.
    — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of waterway
Noun
  • Along the road, however, they are suddenly met with a trickle, and then a flood of refugees.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Peter van Duijvendijk is a flood defense manager at the Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard water corporation, one of 21 such organizations covering the Netherlands that are responsible for issues including flood control.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of flood
Noun
  • Madly sentient guts spill from the sitter’s back in swollen rivulets.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026
  • Our beach quickly turned into a morass of clay, cut through by dozens of fast-flowing rivulets.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of rivulet
Noun
  • Officials have also reviewed currents, tides, wind conditions and possible drift patterns, and checked local beaches, bays, inlets and other coastal areas.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 30 July 2026
  • The project, whose other backers include the Patel Family Office and Saudi’s AHQ Group, is part of a larger tide of capital flowing into Gulf oil infrastructure.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of tide

Phrases Containing river

Browse Nearby Words

riven
river
riverbank
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Cite this Entry

“River.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/river. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on river

Nglish: Translation of river for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about river

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