as in banks
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
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Recent Examples of shoals
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 debris appears as a large cloud of dirty water seen beyond the shoals off Montego Bay.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Parrotfish, angelfish, and thick shoals of bluestripe snappers colored the reef.
—Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2025
The shoals attract diving gannets and orcas.
—David Greig
september 15, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Also of note is the Landsford Canal State Park in May or June, when the riverside is covered in rocky shoals spider lilies.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
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 debris appears as a large cloud of dirty water seen beyond the shoals off Montego Bay.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Parrotfish, angelfish, and thick shoals of bluestripe snappers colored the reef.
—Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2025
The shoals attract diving gannets and orcas.
—David Greig
september 15, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Also of note is the Landsford Canal State Park in May or June, when the riverside is covered in rocky shoals spider lilies.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoals
Noun
-
Situated near the banks of the Tennessee River, guests have easy access to attractions in Knoxville, including a variety of historic landmarks, outdoor recreational activities, and a vibrant arts, theatre and culinary scene.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Since the accounts aren't taxed on the federal level, the banks that hold them won't be required to send 1099s to account holders showing the annual earnings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Wading birds stalk the shallows, woodpeckers tap through the hammocks, and osprey circle overhead along the river corridor.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Silvery costumes abandoned in the shallows.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shoals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoals. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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