as in beach
the usually sandy or gravelly land bordering a body of water
we went for a moonlight walk on the sands
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in rubs
to make smooth by friction
painstakingly sanded down the wooden floors of the old house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sands
Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
This resort stands on the edge of Aruba, specifically on Eagle Beach, where the crystal-clear water and white sands have earned it the reputation of being one of the best beaches in the world.
—José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Snorkeling aside, stretching out on the pristine sands of Trunk Bay, considered one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, is a highlight of any visit to the island.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
In the ad, Yang and Hamm appear to be a bit salty that they weren’t invited to a party on Ritz island, though The Avengers star quickly shifts their mood, and the three jet ski through the sands of the bash.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
The remnants of a 19th-century shipwreck have emerged from beneath the sands of a New Jersey beach.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
There are camels, horses, and fat bikes to ride through the seemingly endless sands and spa treatments that use Arabian dates and coffee.
—Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
Grand Cayman is known for its natural features, like the white sands of Seven Mile Beach; diverse wildlife, including stingrays, sea turtles and rare blue iguanas; and high-end shopping and culinary experiences.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Dark-orange lines, like heavy serpents, stripe the sands, gray rivers stripe the sands.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
Saturated in the heatwave colors of Australia’s scorching Red Center, with its searing blue skies and bright orange sands, Wolfram makes the grim, lawless backwater of Wake in Fright seem positively cosmopolitan by comparison.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
This resort stands on the edge of Aruba, specifically on Eagle Beach, where the crystal-clear water and white sands have earned it the reputation of being one of the best beaches in the world.
—José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Snorkeling aside, stretching out on the pristine sands of Trunk Bay, considered one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, is a highlight of any visit to the island.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
In the ad, Yang and Hamm appear to be a bit salty that they weren’t invited to a party on Ritz island, though The Avengers star quickly shifts their mood, and the three jet ski through the sands of the bash.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
The remnants of a 19th-century shipwreck have emerged from beneath the sands of a New Jersey beach.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
There are camels, horses, and fat bikes to ride through the seemingly endless sands and spa treatments that use Arabian dates and coffee.
—Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
Grand Cayman is known for its natural features, like the white sands of Seven Mile Beach; diverse wildlife, including stingrays, sea turtles and rare blue iguanas; and high-end shopping and culinary experiences.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Dark-orange lines, like heavy serpents, stripe the sands, gray rivers stripe the sands.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
Chapman sands his board occasionally to remove this top layer of funk.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sands
Noun
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This included clothing donations, beach conservation efforts, community programs in Pedra do Sal, and the preservation of the Brazilian flag painting on Eduardo Jansen Street.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
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Chris and Liz Hayward, New Jersey residents with a condominium near the beach, were sunning themselves on the sand on Tuesday, admiring the new Tower 11, decorated with a scuba diver and fish.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This might happen because antler rubs strip bark away, revealing lignin-rich inner wood that reemits the longer wavelengths in a way bark does not.—
Anirban Mukhopadhyay,
Scientific American,
21 Jan. 2026
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Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, including schoolteacher Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer).—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The latest Justice Department files detail years of cordial correspondence between Pritzker, Epstein, and Maxwell after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
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Wasserman’s appearance in the Epstein files document dump, despite the consensual nature of his exchanges with Maxwell, has set off a firestorm among some of the clients represented by Wasserman’s sports, marketing and entertainment units.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In another, Kelly’s character polishes the massive rock on a seat cushion, then lies back to admire it.—
Rachel Garrahan,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
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Designed in tandem with the brand’s existing DIY gel system, Olive & June’s Builder Gel polishes (retailing for $12 each) are thicker in texture than traditional gel polish, creating a strong, supportive barrier to help grow your natural nails.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
Refinery29,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The number of technicians who prepare hundreds of skis with special waxes and grinds to ensure the best glide for the day during World Cup, World Championship and Olympic events.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
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Nothing grinds my gears like shopping for luxury fashion pieces, only to learn that the fabric is made of cheap material (insert crying emoji).—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sands. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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