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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in subordinate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tributary
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
The trail weaves through the coastal waters of Lee County from the Pine Island Sound to Estero Bay, up the Caloosahatchee River and through its tributaries.
—Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Catherine Porter, New York Times, 6 June 2023
This was a tributary version of the break-up and floe of ice that historically has happened in all the Great Lakes.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for tributary
Noun
About two dozen river gauge sites were at major flood stage, and 122 locations across the central U.S. were at or above flood stage, spanning multiple rivers and tributaries, according to AccuWeather.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
The trail weaves through the coastal waters of Lee County from the Pine Island Sound to Estero Bay, up the Caloosahatchee River and through its tributaries.
—Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The edges of the country roads are decorated by tributary statues and banners flashing the faces of Allied soldiers who died in the fight.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 6 June 2023
This was a tributary version of the break-up and floe of ice that historically has happened in all the Great Lakes.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for tributary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tributary
Noun
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These projects manage most of the major reservoirs on the western side of the Sierra Nevada range, from the headwaters of the San Joaquin River to Shasta on the Sacramento River in the state’s far north.—
Tom Philp,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
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Northern areas of Colorado — including on the Yampa River and near the Colorado River’s headwaters north of Kremmling — have above-normal snowpack.—
Elise Schmelzer,
The Denver Post,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Whatever else is printed—articles about religion, Israel, humor pieces—is subordinate to the obituaries.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
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Mechthild Heil, who leads a group of women in Mr. Merz’s Christian Democratic Union, is concerned about the subordinate role women play in the party.—
Christopher F. Schuetze,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The case is being led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a law enforcement branch within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But in the bayou parishes, southwest of New Orleans, qui is used for both.—
Aubri Juhasz,
NPR,
19 Mar. 2025
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Instead of a briar patch, guests are now taken through the Louisiana bayou, to help Louis the alligator find a band to play during a big Mardi Gras celebration thrown by Tiana — which is shown in all its glory at the very end of the attraction.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The schedule can be programmed via the app or changed on the body of the feeder.—
Molly Higgins,
Wired News,
14 Apr. 2025
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Along with its easy cleaning features, this feeder also keeps bees and ants at bay.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The brand also sells complementary bundles that help support things like weight loss or better skin care, all of which are important for the road warrior.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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However, technology has historically played a complementary role in creative industries.—
Rowan Briggs,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Tesla's lower-cost Model Y: US launch pushed back as sources reveal production challengesNeed a break?—
Mike Scarcella,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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An escalating trade war between the U.S. and China, the world’s two largest economies, has been a major source of concern for the maritime and transport sector.—
Jenni Reid,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The news comes in the wake of health officials announcing that Arakawa died at 65 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare condition that comes from contact with rodents, and Hackman subsequently died at 95 from heart disease, with Alzheimer's as a significant contributory factor.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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It was later determined that the French Connection star died around Feb. 17 from heart disease with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor, while Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tributary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributary. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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