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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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
In the lead- and zinc-rich northeast, mining can release acidic drainage caused by oxidation of sulfide minerals, which can leach heavy metals from mining waste, contaminating waterways.
—
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 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, 21 Jan. 2026
Research has clearly shown how the proliferation of plastics has fouled waterways and oceans, making sea creatures sick and threatening human health.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Xianming Shi, a University of Miami professor of civil and architectural engineering, has been in early conversations with Miami-Dade County and the City of Coral Gables about collaborating on ways to use biochar — either in road construction or to help remove pollutants from local waterways.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Beyond medicine, scientists are examining ecological interventions to reduce the movement of resistance genes through soil, wastewater and plastics, as well as through waterways and key environmental reservoirs.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
In coastal and low-lying communities, untreated wastewater is more likely to escape into surrounding waterways.
—Iuliia Istratiy, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
Bob Katter 60 Minutes Bob Katter believes that legalizing crocodile hunting would make waterways safe again - and turn a profit by attracting big game hunters.
—Holly Williams, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
The waterways of the Columbia River basin, full of dams that corral salmon in tight spaces, are just too easy of a hunting ground for the sea lions to spurn.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 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, 21 Jan. 2026
Research has clearly shown how the proliferation of plastics has fouled waterways and oceans, making sea creatures sick and threatening human health.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Xianming Shi, a University of Miami professor of civil and architectural engineering, has been in early conversations with Miami-Dade County and the City of Coral Gables about collaborating on ways to use biochar — either in road construction or to help remove pollutants from local waterways.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Beyond medicine, scientists are examining ecological interventions to reduce the movement of resistance genes through soil, wastewater and plastics, as well as through waterways and key environmental reservoirs.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
In coastal and low-lying communities, untreated wastewater is more likely to escape into surrounding waterways.
—Iuliia Istratiy, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
Bob Katter 60 Minutes Bob Katter believes that legalizing crocodile hunting would make waterways safe again - and turn a profit by attracting big game hunters.
—Holly Williams, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
The waterways of the Columbia River basin, full of dams that corral salmon in tight spaces, are just too easy of a hunting ground for the sea lions to spurn.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waterways
Noun
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Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico Expansive rain gardens, nature trails, lakes, and canals create an out-of-the-ordinary resort feel.—
Amber Kallor,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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The watershed also is situated on relatively flat, low-lying and porous terrain, enabling higher tides to penetrate deeper into the freshwater marshes through the vast network of canals that holds the watershed together.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The update will set rules for the Sacramento River and the rest of the Delta, where pumps operated by state and federal agencies send water flowing in aqueducts to farmlands and cities.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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Ancient Origins reported that the researchers analyzed the carbonate incrustations, or the buildup in the city’s pipes, as well as deposits in the aqueducts and water towers built later on.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waterways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waterways. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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