SAND Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

sand 1 of 2

noun

ˈsand

Definition of sand

as in beach

often sands plural the usually sandy or gravelly land bordering a body of water we went for a moonlight walk on the sands

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

sand

2 of 2

verb

as in to rub

to make smooth by friction painstakingly sanded down the wooden floors of the old house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sand

Noun

Adnani has said the title is rooted in the sand mining crisis in India, where extraction of river sand has accelerated erosion and contributed to flooding. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 There isn’t enough real dirt or sand on the trail to give a qualified opinion. — Michael Febbo, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

But everything around it needed to be sculpted, sanded and polished by hand. — John Lauritsen, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 Compared to the more flawed Sherlock Holmes or James Bond — two other literary heroes whose various screen iterations have often, albeit not always, sanded down their complexities — Reacher is barely a character at all. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sand

Noun

Beach battle lines On a recent afternoon at high tide, beach activist Sara Day points out where the dividing line is.

— Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
The resort begins clearing the beach before sunrise each morning, but nature doesn't always cooperate.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of beach

Verb

One juror was rubbing his eyes as Sullivan talked, and another was clasping and unclasping his hands in his lap.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
Danger, Olivo, and Mosco had just eaten by the gazebo and Damaris was rubbing her pup’s head goodnight, about to go into the shack.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of rub

Verb

The issue will be on the ballot if a petition filed with the city clerk is signed by 15% of qualified electors.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Justice Yechiel Kasher said the case was filed too late, a week before the voter registry was due to be finalized, and that the petitioners had not first used the statutory appeals process available to challenge their registration status.

— Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of file

Verb

The third round was old-style Gauff, scratchy and inconsistent and grinding her way to victory with her legs, over Cristina Buçsa.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
What is so distressing about the lawsuit that is grinding through the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan is that there seems to be no end in sight.

— Mike Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of grind

Browse Nearby Words

sanctums

sand

sandbag

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sand. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sand

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on sand

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

stigma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes