1
as in pipes
a long hollow cylinder for carrying a substance (as a liquid or gas)
all of the wiring for the converted residential loft is concealed in a vertical trough
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ditches
a long narrow channel dug in the earth
I slid and fell into the trough by the side of the road, scraping my leg
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in gutters
a pipe or channel for carrying off water from a roof
the troughs on the eaves of the house were clogged with leaves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of troughs
This effect is amplified by the natural asymmetry of sea waves – their crests are typically sharper and steeper than their flatter troughs.
—
Francesco Fedele, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2025
The hadal zone is primarily comprised of oceanic trenches and troughs — some of the deepest and least explored environments on Earth.
—Marlowe Starling, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Misjudgements and poor patches of form are part of the narrative in Test match troughs.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Additionally, several settlement pits, troughs, and above-ground structures were identified.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2024
Not so with axions; quantum interference patterns would result in the distribution of axions in a galaxy's dark matter halo to come in peaks and troughs, each extending thousands of light-years.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2024
These winds blow west to east, but the belt can shift north and south, forming ridges and troughs.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 27 Nov. 2024
While there have been peaks and troughs in the number of homes sold since then, sales have not recovered to above the 5 million sales per month mark that was common prior to the pandemic.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Francesco Fedele, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2025
The hadal zone is primarily comprised of oceanic trenches and troughs — some of the deepest and least explored environments on Earth.
—Marlowe Starling, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Misjudgements and poor patches of form are part of the narrative in Test match troughs.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Additionally, several settlement pits, troughs, and above-ground structures were identified.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2024
Not so with axions; quantum interference patterns would result in the distribution of axions in a galaxy's dark matter halo to come in peaks and troughs, each extending thousands of light-years.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2024
These winds blow west to east, but the belt can shift north and south, forming ridges and troughs.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 27 Nov. 2024
While there have been peaks and troughs in the number of homes sold since then, sales have not recovered to above the 5 million sales per month mark that was common prior to the pandemic.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for troughs
Noun
-
Quagga mussels and golden mussels, fingernail-sized invaders infesting California waterways, clog the water pumps and pipes responsible for distributing water to millions of people and vast stretches of farmland.—
Pam Marrone,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
If lightning hits your pipes, it could be conducted into the water in your bath or shower.—
Staff reports,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In heavy rain, refrain from parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a grave danger.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
-
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mosquitoes need water to breed, so limit standing water around your home by cleaning gutters and downspouts, removing leaves from low-lying areas and draining dishes under flower pots after rainstorms.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Zone 1 — which extends 30 feet from a building — requires property owners to do things such as clear dead plants, grass as well as leaves and pine needles from yards, roofs and gutters; trim overhanging branches; and keep a 10-foot gap between trees.—
Hannah Ruhoff,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The San Pablo Bay Pipeline is the larger of two conduits carrying crude to Northern California.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The project also includes the resurfacing and restriping of the existing parking lot, new accessible parking spaces, new streetlights, conduits for future vehicle charging stations, the replacement of walkways, and stormwater improvements.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ultimately, some in the Hollywood trenches see the reaction to Tilly as overblown.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The resulting microplastics are so widespread, they’re found in places as remote as ocean trenches and as close as human breast milk.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Such tubes are supposed to be brought to Earth for study by NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission campaign.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In total, approximately 4,500 Marines and sailors are deployed, supported by a cruiser, several destroyers, and a Los Angeles-class attack submarine equipped with more than 400 missile tubes capable of precision strikes.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The setting is breathtaking, with mountain ravines cascading away on either side.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The North course, par 71, 6,945 yards, challenges the most accomplished golfers with its ravines, wind and tricky greens, while the popular and more sedate and sheltered par-70, 6,580-yard South Course, with four ocean-side holes, invites and tests golfers of every level.—
Greg Mellen,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There’s also kid-friendly programming from channels like Mother Goose Club for parents who need backup entertainment options mid-flight.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
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The images will be on billboards and taxi tops around town and will be featured on both Wells’ and Jack Victor’s social media and web channels.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Troughs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troughs. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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