Synonyms of shoal

shoal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshōl 

as in shallow

lacking significant physical depth

shoal waters of the bay meant that our ship had to be moored a considerable distance from shore

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shallow
• surface
• depthless
• superficial
• restricted
• smooth
• horizontal
• limited
• finite
• measurable
• plane
• level
• skin-deep
• flat
• flush
• measured
• fathomable
• two-dimensional
• even

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deep
• vast
• infinite
• profound
• endless
• unlimited
• boundless
• navigable
• limitless
• bottomless
• unfathomable
• abyssal
• inestimable
• immeasurable
• measureless
• abysmal

shoal

2 of 2

noun

as in bank

a place where a body of water (as a sea or river) is shallow

the shoals off Nantucket Island are famous as the final resting places of many ill-fated ships

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bank
• ford
• sandbar
• sandbank
• bar
• shallow(s)
• towhead

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• trench
• depth
• gulf
• abyss
• deep

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shoal

Noun

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the encounter occurred near the BRP Sierra Madre, the warship Manila grounded on the shoal almost 30 years ago to anchor its claim. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Proud papa Luke showed off Tate’s first shoal bass catch during their father-son fishing trip. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

The assumption is that Lohar will either abandon pursuit or accidentally run the Bitchfist aground on the toothy shoals. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Recent imagery also shows personnel standing atop the structure, while monitoring by the Philippine Coast Guard indicated the platform was operating inside the shoal. — James Laporta, CBS News, 11 June 2026