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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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
River cruises offer a different kind of voyage — one that trades mass tourism for meaningful exploration, steering into hidden coves, remote villages and unspoiled waterways that larger vessels simply can't reach.
—
Deanna Taylor, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
As a precaution, the district continues to advise residents to avoid contact with waterways in southwest Jefferson County, including Northern Ditch, Southern Ditch and Pond Creek, which runs down to the Salt River.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
But the administration has turned its focus to largely urban areas instead of waterways, relegating the Coast Guard to a supporting role.
—Andy Rose 19 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Up to one quarter foot of saltwater inundation above ground level is possible near shorelines and tidal waterways.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
But here, in the web of waterways where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers meet, a new reality is setting in.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
India’s ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, the hosts of the weeklong event, has laid out both a medium- and long-term roadmap to propel the South Asian nation into a maritime powerhouse.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
North Bay Road is divided by waterways into three parts, and residents of each section are considering pursuing their own tax district.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Beyond the immediate area, grease can travel long distances through waterways, spreading pollution and damaging habitats far from the source.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Deanna Taylor, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
As a precaution, the district continues to advise residents to avoid contact with waterways in southwest Jefferson County, including Northern Ditch, Southern Ditch and Pond Creek, which runs down to the Salt River.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Nov. 2025
But the administration has turned its focus to largely urban areas instead of waterways, relegating the Coast Guard to a supporting role.
—Andy Rose 19 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Up to one quarter foot of saltwater inundation above ground level is possible near shorelines and tidal waterways.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
But here, in the web of waterways where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers meet, a new reality is setting in.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
India’s ministry of ports, shipping and waterways, the hosts of the weeklong event, has laid out both a medium- and long-term roadmap to propel the South Asian nation into a maritime powerhouse.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
North Bay Road is divided by waterways into three parts, and residents of each section are considering pursuing their own tax district.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Beyond the immediate area, grease can travel long distances through waterways, spreading pollution and damaging habitats far from the source.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waterways
Noun
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Only accessible by boat or plane, the park consists of canals, rainforests, and lagoons that are home to manatees, jaguars, and countless other wildlife species.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
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The canals and pond, which were aggregately 193,000 cubic meters in volume and appear to have no practical purpose, would have taken 255,000 days of labor by a single individual.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Workers excavated parts of the route with explosives and built locks and aqueducts along 363 miles of canal.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Completed eight years later, the canal stretched some 363 miles (584 kilometers), with 18 aqueducts and 83 locks to compensate for elevation changes en route.—
Matthew Smith,
The Conversation,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waterways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waterways. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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