variants
also grottos
as in caves
a naturally formed underground chamber with an opening to the surface
at the heart of the shrine is a small rocky grotto into which pilgrims can descend
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of grottoes
Highlights include Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, the cliffside grottoes of Dunhuang, and a camel ride across the dunes of the Gobi Desert.
—
Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, which partners with Islander Watersports to offer excursions to scuba dive reefs, coral grottoes and shipwrecks just minutes from Pinney’s Beach.
—Adrienne Jordan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
To keep things fresh, producers have ventured into hitherto uncharted baking grottoes.
—Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, which partners with Islander Watersports to offer excursions to scuba dive reefs, coral grottoes and shipwrecks just minutes from Pinney’s Beach.
—Adrienne Jordan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
To keep things fresh, producers have ventured into hitherto uncharted baking grottoes.
—Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grottoes
Noun
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In some sea caves, harbor seals rest in the quiet shade.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
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Families can embark on thrilling excursions like whale watching tours or exploring the ice caves of Mendenhall Glacier while in port.—
Jessica Puckett,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These caverns are considered suitable for hydrogen storage because of their tight sealing properties and structural stability.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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Explore a Cave Niagara Cave in Harmony is one of Midwest's largest limestone caverns, with a nearly 60-foot waterfall.—
Robin Pfeifer,
Midwest Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grottoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grottoes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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