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
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Recent Examples of shoal
Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026
The little sluiceways through the shoals were only a few inches deep, so the coontail moss was also that much closer to the surface.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
Waters off the point are treacherous, including colliding currents, shoals and sandbars.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
The park service first documented zebra mussels during a training dive at the SS Sevona shipwreck off the Sand Island shoal in 2015.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shoal
Noun
Under the cover of night on July 30, 1949, the Amethyst quenched all its lights on board and shadowed a passing Chinese merchant ship, the Kiangling Liberation, following it through the tricky shoals of the river.
—Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 18 Feb. 2026
The little sluiceways through the shoals were only a few inches deep, so the coontail moss was also that much closer to the surface.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
Waters off the point are treacherous, including colliding currents, shoals and sandbars.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
The park service first documented zebra mussels during a training dive at the SS Sevona shipwreck off the Sand Island shoal in 2015.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shoal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoal
Adjective
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The whale, which has been nicknamed Timmy by local media, is lying in shallow waters near the eastern German town of Wismar and has barely moved for days.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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As the baitfish head shallow to soak up the sun, the bass won’t be far behind.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Federal rules require banks to review accounts and automatically protect certain amounts tied to federal benefit payments, but clear separation can reduce confusion and delays.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Treasury yields declined, offering potential relief for mortgage rates battered by inflation fears, as major banks and tech companies prepare earnings reports this week.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shoal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoal. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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