as in headwaters
a stream that flows into a larger body of water
the Amazon and its more than 1,000 known tributaries form the world's largest drainage basin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tributaries
All of western Colorado relies on water from the river and its tributaries.
—
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Since launching Delfin in 2006, Urteaga has worked hand in hand with Amazonian communities, primarily those within the Marañón and Ucayali river systems and their tributaries, to create a two-way dialogue between travelers and those who call the area home.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026
Upper Basin States—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—contain headwater tributaries and receive much of their water resources through snowmelt and runoff that drain above Lee’s Ferry.
—Outside, 3 Mar. 2026
Many Maryland watermen have been stuck on land for weeks because parts of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries remain frozen over, leaving some oystermen out of work during peak season.
—Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Several smaller tributaries across the region float into the Drina, all carrying their portion of the garbage.
—Eldar Emric, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Africa’s largest tank battle since World War II was fought over a bridge at the confluence of the Cuito and Cuanavale Rivers, the Okavango’s two major tributaries in the eastern Angolan Highlands.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
The glaciers of Cayambe, Antisana, and Cotopaxi are the sources of one of those tributaries—the Río Napo.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
To spawn, salmon must swim hundreds or even thousands of miles upstream from the ocean, and in the Columbia River and its many tributaries, their path is obstructed by a massive network of hydroelectric dams.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Since launching Delfin in 2006, Urteaga has worked hand in hand with Amazonian communities, primarily those within the Marañón and Ucayali river systems and their tributaries, to create a two-way dialogue between travelers and those who call the area home.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026
Upper Basin States—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—contain headwater tributaries and receive much of their water resources through snowmelt and runoff that drain above Lee’s Ferry.
—Outside, 3 Mar. 2026
Many Maryland watermen have been stuck on land for weeks because parts of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries remain frozen over, leaving some oystermen out of work during peak season.
—Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Several smaller tributaries across the region float into the Drina, all carrying their portion of the garbage.
—Eldar Emric, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Africa’s largest tank battle since World War II was fought over a bridge at the confluence of the Cuito and Cuanavale Rivers, the Okavango’s two major tributaries in the eastern Angolan Highlands.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
The glaciers of Cayambe, Antisana, and Cotopaxi are the sources of one of those tributaries—the Río Napo.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
To spawn, salmon must swim hundreds or even thousands of miles upstream from the ocean, and in the Columbia River and its many tributaries, their path is obstructed by a massive network of hydroelectric dams.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tributaries
Noun
-
The ultimate vision for P2P, as it is nicknamed, is for a 65-mile trail that follows Clear Creek from the South Platte through Denver, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Idaho Springs and Georgetown, terminating at the headwaters on Loveland Pass.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The northernmost headwaters of the Florida Everglades, Shingle Creek flows from the city into nearby Lake Tohopekaliga, eventually reaching the Everglades.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Remove branches that cross or crowd each other and any growing toward the shrub's center.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On that note, the ACRC survey reported that 52% of affluents were disappointed with the options presented by luxury brands.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Both of these queens have been bottom feeders throughout the competition, but there’s still no competition.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Take time to research options, as different species of birds prefer different types of seeds and feeders, and no one type is preferred by all birds.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Soft music, meditation, or prayer can also be good sources of peace.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The officials stressed that there is still time to solve the problem and that the embassy and the State Department were looking at potential solutions, including possibly importing fuel from private sources if the Cubans allow it.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tributaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributaries. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
