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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tributary
Time, 24 Aug. 2023
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
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Families can enjoy the tributary and take in the fall foliage at spots like Wild River State Park and Interstate State Park, which offers clifftop views of the river.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tributary
Noun
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
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
Adjective
After about two more decades of ice retreat, two tributaries to the north and south of the Alsek Glacier ceased feeding ice to the glacier, NASA reported.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Families can enjoy the tributary and take in the fall foliage at spots like Wild River State Park and Interstate State Park, which offers clifftop views of the river.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tributary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tributary
Noun
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The mine would restrict access to its tribal members, on top of creating heightened risks of mine runoff entering into the headwaters and decreasing dwindling fish populations, according to the lawsuit.—
Kevin Fixler
September 20,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Sep. 2025
-
It could be said that more people have stood atop the headwaters of the Flint River than that of any other one on earth.—
David Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Moldovan Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to Moscow, has also echoed Kremlin talking points, warning congregants that EU membership would destroy traditions and family values.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Timing is another significant consideration in real estate, with the property’s actual structure being a somewhat subordinate factor.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The attorney general's office approves all requests from the executive branch for outside counsel.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
25 Sep. 2025
-
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As the realities of these men from the bayou of Louisiana and the Yoruba Orisha on which they are based often feel entangled, The Brothers Size is a piece that makes myth of men who find freedom and direction in relationship to each other.—
Essence,
Essence,
17 Sep. 2025
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Sample nightly rate: $279 Notes: Port Orleans French Quarter, which is inspired by New Orleans, is much smaller than Riverside, where buildings have either bayou or Southern manor theming.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Later, she was named an assistant superintendent and finally the top deputy to then-Superintendent Thomas Payzant.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
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Since then, the assistant city attorney working on the negotiations also left for a new role.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But eventually the feeders were swarmed by what appeared to be thousands of bees.—
Irv Erdos,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
-
This low-to-the-ground platform feeder is designed with ground feeders in mind, so it’s known to attract ground-feeding birds like doves as well as bunnies, chipmunks, and squirrels.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For classical concerts, the purchase of an adult ticket entitles patrons to a complementary ticket for a guest under 18.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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That was emblematic of the team’s failure to play a sort of complementary baseball, of the whole never equaling the sum of its parts.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What's Next Chinese research ship operations in neighboring maritime zones are likely to remain a source of controversy as the country continues to strengthen its posture in the region.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
A lot of the information being funneled to him and his peers from news sources wasn't clear.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tributary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributary. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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