as in caves
a passage that goes under the ground, through a hill, etc.
The train goes through a tunnel in the mountain. The moles dug tunnels in the yard.
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Recent Examples of tunnels
Visitors sometimes report hearing bagpipes when exploring the tunnels.
—
Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
The Tunnels story is that Chinese immigrants built a network of tunnels under the city because they were forced to live underground; the tunnels were then used by gangsters and bootleggers, including Al Capone.
—JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
The Israeli military said the latest strikes targeted Hamas militants, as well as tunnels and military buildings.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
Mud tunnels, or shelter tubes, about the width of a straw, on the foundation, floor joists, and other parts of the house are signs of a colony.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Poland’s Nazi labyrinth The countryside around the little Polish village of Pniewo looks serene, with its yellow crops and patches of forest, but beneath the surface lies a sprawling 20-mile maze of tunnels, shafts, underground railway stations and combat facilities.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Cement is a basic building supply, but Israel says in the past Hamas has siphoned it in Gaza to build hundreds of miles of concrete tunnels for its fighters.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
All living Gaza hostages are now free 20 living hostages were returned to Israel by Hamas after being held in underground tunnels with little food, water, or medical care for two years.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Elkana Bohbot, who was kidnapped while helping people evacuate the Nova music festival, was reportedly held in tunnels throughout his time in captivity, according to Channel 12.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
The Tunnels story is that Chinese immigrants built a network of tunnels under the city because they were forced to live underground; the tunnels were then used by gangsters and bootleggers, including Al Capone.
—JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
The Israeli military said the latest strikes targeted Hamas militants, as well as tunnels and military buildings.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
Mud tunnels, or shelter tubes, about the width of a straw, on the foundation, floor joists, and other parts of the house are signs of a colony.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Poland’s Nazi labyrinth The countryside around the little Polish village of Pniewo looks serene, with its yellow crops and patches of forest, but beneath the surface lies a sprawling 20-mile maze of tunnels, shafts, underground railway stations and combat facilities.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Cement is a basic building supply, but Israel says in the past Hamas has siphoned it in Gaza to build hundreds of miles of concrete tunnels for its fighters.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
All living Gaza hostages are now free 20 living hostages were returned to Israel by Hamas after being held in underground tunnels with little food, water, or medical care for two years.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Elkana Bohbot, who was kidnapped while helping people evacuate the Nova music festival, was reportedly held in tunnels throughout his time in captivity, according to Channel 12.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tunnels
Noun
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Enroll in an intro dive course, go snorkeling, or take a boat out to explore the island’s remote caves and beaches.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
-
There’s swimming, surfing, windsurfing, tide pools, coastal caves, and reefs for exploration.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What fantastic fantasies will lure risk-seeking treasure hunters to breach the massive walls of iron thorns surrounding mysterious radioactive caverns buried deep in the deserts?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
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With a cool, constant temperature of 54 degrees, the caverns are a perfect year-round adventure.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tunnels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tunnels. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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