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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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
In the interim, the Department of Water Resources is providing portage services for boats navigating the waterways.
—
Reeti Malhotra
june 5, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
Though landlocked, Iowa’s identity is shaped by waterways including the Missouri and Mississippi rivers that form some of its borders.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
In some areas where blue cats have been introduced, the bigger blues are outcompeting the native channel cats in the main waterways.
—Ken Perrotte, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Of course, safety standards have evolved over the last three decades, but fishing in Denver’s public lakes, reservoirs and waterways has remained a popular, all-ages pastime that requires very little travel or gear to enjoy.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
Federal regulators recommend people avoid eating fish from waterways that have been impacted by PFAS.
—Mara Hoplamazian, NPR, 2 June 2026
In addition to hundreds of pleasure boats, barges and other craft ferry millions of gallons of petroleum and other chemicals up and down waterways.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Maine, Hawaii, Alaska, Louisiana and even the Grand Canyon feature waterways and waterfronts.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
In actuality, the term refers to the trace levels of cocaine and its breakdown products that exist in waterways.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Reeti Malhotra
june 5, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
Though landlocked, Iowa’s identity is shaped by waterways including the Missouri and Mississippi rivers that form some of its borders.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
In some areas where blue cats have been introduced, the bigger blues are outcompeting the native channel cats in the main waterways.
—Ken Perrotte, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Of course, safety standards have evolved over the last three decades, but fishing in Denver’s public lakes, reservoirs and waterways has remained a popular, all-ages pastime that requires very little travel or gear to enjoy.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
Federal regulators recommend people avoid eating fish from waterways that have been impacted by PFAS.
—Mara Hoplamazian, NPR, 2 June 2026
In addition to hundreds of pleasure boats, barges and other craft ferry millions of gallons of petroleum and other chemicals up and down waterways.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Maine, Hawaii, Alaska, Louisiana and even the Grand Canyon feature waterways and waterfronts.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
In actuality, the term refers to the trace levels of cocaine and its breakdown products that exist in waterways.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waterways
Noun
-
The fitness center is awash in natural light, which is a great alternative to a jog along the city’s canals.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Amsterdam, Netherlands Amsterdam is famous for its biking culture, but there’s nothing like strolling along its canals.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Despite the dilapidated state, the couple fell in love with its ancient olive trees, a creek and a network of aqueducts winding through the fields.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
The rolling landscape, nestled between a nature preserve and a cattle ranch, had silvery groves of ancient olive trees, a meandering creek, and a network of antique aqueducts snaking through the fields.—
Ingrid Abramovitch,
Architectural Digest,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waterways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waterways. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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