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

When Duterte refused, China began blocking Filipino fishermen from the shoal again. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

The Philippine military later said Chinese ships had used water cannon as well as dangerous navigational techniques to try to block an effort to resupply Philippine fishermen around the shoal. — Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

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