TRIBUTARY Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

tributary 1 of 2

noun

ˈtri-byə-ˌter-ē

Definition of tributary

as in headwater

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tributary

2 of 2

adjective

as in subordinate

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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 tributary

Noun

Rough weather rolled over the Colorado community of Evergreen on Wednesday night, swelling Bear Creek and tributaries and tossing debris and mud into homes and downtown. — Alan Gionet, CBS News, 25 June 2026 That compact was adopted in 1943 by Colorado, the headwaters of the Republican and several tributaries, and Nebraska and Kansas, the two down-river states. — Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026

Adjective

That salty, terminal lake had its tributary water diverted away by the city of Los Angeles, turning it into a dry salt flat. — Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023 Sometimes the killers may be Chechens maybe organized by Putin’s other feral favourite, his tributary ruler of Russia’s Chechen republic, Kadyrov. — Time, 24 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for tributary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tributary

Noun

The headwaters of the Colorado River, a vital source of water for 35 million people and 5 million acres of farmland, is drier than anyone can remember, my colleague Ian James reports.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Its headwaters are in Indian River County, its mouth in the Atlantic near Jacksonville, which is the furthest place Sanders Fish House delivers its wild catch.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026

Definition of headwater

Adjective

Executive Vulnerability How a leader reacts in the five-second window after being corrected by a subordinate determines the future of that company’s innovation.

— William DeCourcy, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
The economic order must remain subordinate to human dignity and the common good.

— Scott Simon, NPR, 30 May 2026

Definition of subordinate

Noun

Since Independence Day is a federal holiday, most branches of national banks such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo and CitiBank, among others, will be closed on July 4.

— Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Each branch was designed to check the power of the others because the Founders did not want to rely only on the voters to check government power.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 1 July 2026

Definition of branch

Adjective

The Unified Government brought in Chism, who formerly served as an assistant city manager in Shawnee and Overland Park, back in 2024.

— Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Noel Grigsby played for Garrett, went on to San José State and has been an assistant coach since 2014.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of assistant

Noun

While here, be sure to take a boat tour through the swamps of the bayou.

— Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Introduce yourself to the local critters living in the tanks inside, then stroll the gorgeous bayou walkways or take your little ones to the nature play garden.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

Definition of bayou

Adjective

Recalling conversations with James in the Lakers' locker room, Woike said the four-time NBA MVP has likely embraced the idea that his next team will possibly need him as a complementary piece rather than the face of the franchise.

— Michel Martin, NPR, 1 July 2026
The Sphere's outward display will also provide additional complementary programming for the fireworks shows.

— Carly Sauvageau, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Definition of complementary

Noun

After five generations, the frequency of these rapid feeders in the population had increased, showing that selection operated even under these highly artificial conditions.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
Scoop droppings under the roosts, refresh nesting box bedding, top off floor bedding, scrub and refill the waterer, wipe down the feeder.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026

Definition of feeder

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tributaries

tributary

tribute

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“Tributary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributary. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tributary

noun

adjective

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