as in canals
an open man-made passageway for water
the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of waterways
The fish keep the 131-mile maze of waterways clear for the millions of residents who depend on it for water.
—
Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The river and many waterways in Maryland had been frozen due to the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, Maryland's biggest winter storm in a decade.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
The pollutants diminished over time — absorbed into the landscape and washed into waterways.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
When the River Took John Squires For years, three old friends from California had been making an annual pilgrimage to fish Alaska’s wild and pristine waterways.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
Participants will spread throughout the beach areas and nearby beaches to pick up trash that would otherwise end up in waterways, according to the Del Mar Village Association’s website.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
When cities embed movement into daily life, through accessible parks, clean waterways, shaded paths, and community facilities, sports participation rises, emissions fall, public health costs drop, and communities become more attractive for events and tourism.
—Sebastian Buckup, Time, 7 Feb. 2026
An industrial landscape gives way to vast marshes spliced by curving waterways.
—Kara Newman, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
In fast-growing places like Lake County, planning is the difference between growth that respects our natural resources, agricultural economy, and the Florida Wildlife Corridor — and growth that treats roads as an afterthought and waterways as someone else’s problem.
—Sean Parks, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The river and many waterways in Maryland had been frozen due to the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, Maryland's biggest winter storm in a decade.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
The pollutants diminished over time — absorbed into the landscape and washed into waterways.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
When the River Took John Squires For years, three old friends from California had been making an annual pilgrimage to fish Alaska’s wild and pristine waterways.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
Participants will spread throughout the beach areas and nearby beaches to pick up trash that would otherwise end up in waterways, according to the Del Mar Village Association’s website.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
When cities embed movement into daily life, through accessible parks, clean waterways, shaded paths, and community facilities, sports participation rises, emissions fall, public health costs drop, and communities become more attractive for events and tourism.
—Sebastian Buckup, Time, 7 Feb. 2026
An industrial landscape gives way to vast marshes spliced by curving waterways.
—Kara Newman, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
In fast-growing places like Lake County, planning is the difference between growth that respects our natural resources, agricultural economy, and the Florida Wildlife Corridor — and growth that treats roads as an afterthought and waterways as someone else’s problem.
—Sean Parks, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waterways
Noun
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Since 1989, the water provider has recruited fishy friends to feast on the aquatic plants that would otherwise choke the canals.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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The architecture and art Biennales, the annual film festival, the city itself, with its winding canals and Gothic buildings—all of it feels targeted at like-minded travelers who prioritize artistry and craft when booking a trip.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Architects have found evidence of their use in the pyramids of Egypt and the buildings and aqueducts of the Roman Empire.—
Alcina Johnson Sudagar,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
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There are the remains of seven aqueducts in the park, including the Felice (or Felix) Aqueduct, built in the 1580s.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waterways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waterways. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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