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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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
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
High winds, long waterways, and brutal conditions tested the pair’s endurance.
—Outside, 7 Feb. 2026
An industrial landscape gives way to vast marshes spliced by curving waterways.
—Kara Newman, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
The golden mussel, an invasive species that is making its way across the delta, through waterways and pipes, is now reaching as far south as Riverside County.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 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
Officials urge people to stay off ice along the Great Lakes and to take precautions while venturing onto ice on inland waterways.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 4 Feb. 2026
These chemicals from the carpet factories leach into the ground and waterways of North Georgia.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Originally imported from Asia in the 1970s for an improved aquaculture, the fish escaped into Midwestern waterways decades ago and spread rapidly.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Sebastian Buckup, Time, 7 Feb. 2026
High winds, long waterways, and brutal conditions tested the pair’s endurance.
—Outside, 7 Feb. 2026
An industrial landscape gives way to vast marshes spliced by curving waterways.
—Kara Newman, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
The golden mussel, an invasive species that is making its way across the delta, through waterways and pipes, is now reaching as far south as Riverside County.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 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
Officials urge people to stay off ice along the Great Lakes and to take precautions while venturing onto ice on inland waterways.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 4 Feb. 2026
These chemicals from the carpet factories leach into the ground and waterways of North Georgia.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Originally imported from Asia in the 1970s for an improved aquaculture, the fish escaped into Midwestern waterways decades ago and spread rapidly.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waterways
Noun
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And even in winter, boating offers a new perspective on the city, particularly during the annual Light Festival, a free open-air festival of light installations along the canals.—
Georgina Ustik,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Lumberyards, flour mills, livestock auctions, and other industries popped up, while irrigation canals were built quickly to support the region’s expanding agricultural community.—
Northwest River Partners,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 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 10 Feb. 2026.
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