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
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Recent Examples of tributaries
And in Colorado, all 13 of the state’s Gold Medal trout streams are fed by tributaries flowing from roadless areas.
—
Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
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
Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tributaries
Noun
-
The report’s map showed the browns and yellows of persisting and developing drought across the entire Upper Colorado River Basin except in the Green River headwaters of Wyoming.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The area includes headwaters for the South Platte River, a source of drinking and agricultural irrigation water.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
This individual's brain – their hippocampus, specifically – looks like a tree, arteries stretching out like branches.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
23 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
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The Lakers, currently third in the Western Conference standings, continue to surge toward the end of the regular season, with games against Eastern Conference bottom feeders Brooklyn and Washington next on the docket.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Birdwatchers often spot them stopping at feeders or gardens during these seasonal journeys, making migration an exciting time to observe these remarkable birds.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fatalities data, the group says, is based on a range of sources, including sources among medical workers, publicly available images and official statements.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The attack consisted of Iranian missiles and drones, sources told CBS News.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tributaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributaries. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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