as in levees
a bank of earth constructed to control water
the river backed up behind the dam until it formed a new lake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in blocks
to prevent passage through by filling with something
ice floes were damming the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fills
to close up so that no empty spaces remain
dam up the pipes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dams
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
In the United States these dams were built primarily to ease navigation, mitigate flooding, support irrigation, or generate hydroelectric power.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
Nearly 100 dams with lower hazard ratings are also in poor condition.
—CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Those numbers have dwindled over the decades due in part to eight dams along the Snake River.
—Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2026
Because warming will continue for the coming decades, the 2026 flooding should be considered at the lower end of capacity for stormwater infrastructure and dams.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
In recent months, authorities in Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Norway have all warned that hackers linked to Russia have targeted their critical infrastructure including power plants and dams.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Glacial outburst floods happen when the ice dams holding back glacial lakes fail, allowing a sudden release of water.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Stormwater captured in dams, reservoirs and spreading grounds figured out to be an amazing 185% of average for this time of year, the county reported.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
In the United States these dams were built primarily to ease navigation, mitigate flooding, support irrigation, or generate hydroelectric power.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
Nearly 100 dams with lower hazard ratings are also in poor condition.
—CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Those numbers have dwindled over the decades due in part to eight dams along the Snake River.
—Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2026
Because warming will continue for the coming decades, the 2026 flooding should be considered at the lower end of capacity for stormwater infrastructure and dams.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
In recent months, authorities in Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Norway have all warned that hackers linked to Russia have targeted their critical infrastructure including power plants and dams.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission asked experts to study what happened at the Edenville and Sanford dams.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Glacial outburst floods happen when the ice dams holding back glacial lakes fail, allowing a sudden release of water.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dams
Noun
-
Constructing protective structures such as levees and dikes can help, as can preserving natural landscapes, such as wetlands and estuaries that can act as a natural sponge to absorb floodwaters, in and near the cities, Shao and her colleagues wrote.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Declines in groundwater levels have in recent years caused household wells to sputter and run dry, streams and wetlands to dry up, and land to sink, damaging canals and levees.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
First, Detroit has centers ahead of him in Larkin, Copp and potentially Kasper next season, with Nate Danielson on the way as well, which either complicates Compher’s path to high-lineup playing time or blocks one of the young players.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That put the company strategically on track to potentially go public in the final quarter of 2026—following an $852 billion valuation—unless Musk’s lawsuit blocks the move.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Be sure to book weeks ahead — this one fills up fast.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder fills an obvious hole in Indy’s defense after the team traded multiyear starter and captain Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers last month.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the wake of the 2007 settlement, tents began to appear on the sidewalks, freeway embankments, overpasses, underpasses, civic plazas and public spaces everywhere in Los Angeles.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The East River Residence, which is suspended on thin columns, stretches across the valley like a bridge between two embankments, letting the terrain flow underneath it like water.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another distinction is its saddle and seatpost, which form a unit that plugs into a corner of the square motor/battery assembly.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 Apr. 2026
-
For older systems, travelers can purchase additional accessories like AirFly, which plugs into the headphone jack and connects to wireless headphones via Bluetooth.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Neuroscientists Wendy Suzuki, PhD, Samuel Wang, PhD, and Gary Small, MD explain how movement increases blood flow, boosts growth factors like BDNF, and floods the brain with mood-lifting neurochemicals.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Apr. 2026
-
These pieces blend perfectly with lamps designed by Marcel Wanders, the subtle Ice Cream collection, and the natural light that floods the space, bringing the building’s century-old architecture to life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Our expert take The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The ultimate scene packs a punch here — without spoiling things, Abigail Onwunali is particularly powerful in a role that Wilson saves till the eleventh hour, and Boone goes to places at once frightening and devastating.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dams. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
