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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal
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Recent Examples of waterways
Watch the video above to learn more about the intensifying battle for control of Arctic waterways.
—
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Every chemical-free choice means fewer synthetic substances washing into local storm drains, waterways, and soil during the next rainstorm.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
In response, many nations, like Switzerland, are seeking ways to clean up munitions from waterways such as lakes.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
The most fundamental solution is to manage rivers as connected ecological systems rather than as isolated national waterways.
—Zeb Hogan, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
However, experts urge caution when taking a dip in the still-dangerous rivers and other waterways in the Sacramento area.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
As Hawaii reels from some of the worst flooding to hit the region in decades, one good Samaritan is taking to the waterways to paddle pets left behind to safety.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
The sheriff’s office urged people to use caution near waterways and to be mindful of rapidly changing conditions.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
Excess pollution of nutrients into waterways fuel harmful algal blooms, which can be detrimental to manatees and other aquatic life.
—Elizabeth Neville, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Every chemical-free choice means fewer synthetic substances washing into local storm drains, waterways, and soil during the next rainstorm.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
In response, many nations, like Switzerland, are seeking ways to clean up munitions from waterways such as lakes.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
The most fundamental solution is to manage rivers as connected ecological systems rather than as isolated national waterways.
—Zeb Hogan, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
However, experts urge caution when taking a dip in the still-dangerous rivers and other waterways in the Sacramento area.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
As Hawaii reels from some of the worst flooding to hit the region in decades, one good Samaritan is taking to the waterways to paddle pets left behind to safety.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
The sheriff’s office urged people to use caution near waterways and to be mindful of rapidly changing conditions.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026
Excess pollution of nutrients into waterways fuel harmful algal blooms, which can be detrimental to manatees and other aquatic life.
—Elizabeth Neville, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waterways
Noun
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The severe weather also left 147 homes either completely or partially destroyed, wiped out 80 kilometers of roads and destroyed agricultural land and irrigation canals, Hammad said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
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First canals and then locks were devised to guide boats around the falls.—
Adam Sachs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Picnic in the shadow of ancient aqueducts.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2026
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Students learn how their water travels from the Sierra Nevada through reservoirs, pipes and aqueducts to finally end up in their homes.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waterways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waterways. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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