as in beach
the usually sandy or gravelly land bordering a body of water
we went for a moonlight walk on the sands
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in rubs
to make smooth by friction
painstakingly sanded down the wooden floors of the old house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sands
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
While the sun is shining, lounge on the golden sands or have some fun in the water with a Jet Ski ride, paddleboard rental, or sailing excursion.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
Wide open spaces that enhance perspectives on the smoking profile of Bali volcano on the horizon, across the sands and ocean or over a 20-meter private pool, replace the need for ornament or effects.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Her clothes, patterned in vivid reds, pinks and oranges, echo the mineral-rich sands of Iran’s Qeshm and Hormuz islands, where the earth itself seems to glow.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
The new island draws its name from the bright aragonite sands that form its foundation and will be an extension of the brand's commitment to connect guests with the ocean.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
There were other, less elevated, reasons to watch women on the sands.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
With Iceland’s titular black sands serving as the backdrop, the first season of the show followed Anita, a troubled police officer played by Aldis Amah Hamilton (The Valhalla Murders) who also co-writes the series.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
Humans weren’t the only ones hanging out on the sands of Miami Beach over the weekend.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Chapman sands his board occasionally to remove this top layer of funk.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
Nearly a decade after selling its dirtier Canadian oil sands assets amid the global transition to clean energy, Big Oil giant Shell is reversing course in Canada and buying ARC Resources for nearly $14 billion.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
While the sun is shining, lounge on the golden sands or have some fun in the water with a Jet Ski ride, paddleboard rental, or sailing excursion.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
Wide open spaces that enhance perspectives on the smoking profile of Bali volcano on the horizon, across the sands and ocean or over a 20-meter private pool, replace the need for ornament or effects.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Her clothes, patterned in vivid reds, pinks and oranges, echo the mineral-rich sands of Iran’s Qeshm and Hormuz islands, where the earth itself seems to glow.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
The new island draws its name from the bright aragonite sands that form its foundation and will be an extension of the brand's commitment to connect guests with the ocean.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
There were other, less elevated, reasons to watch women on the sands.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
With Iceland’s titular black sands serving as the backdrop, the first season of the show followed Anita, a troubled police officer played by Aldis Amah Hamilton (The Valhalla Murders) who also co-writes the series.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
Humans weren’t the only ones hanging out on the sands of Miami Beach over the weekend.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
Sawdust sprays as Matt Sams meticulously sands the edges of a balcony railing that will soon be affixed to the front of a house.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Chapman sands his board occasionally to remove this top layer of funk.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sands
Noun
-
The montage features Louis playing on the beach, swinging a bat, and jumping into the ocean—a snapshot of carefree moments typical of a normal childhood.—
Antonella Rossi,
Vanity Fair,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Some residents at the April 16 meeting posited that the Park District’s controversial donation pact with billionaire resident Justin Ishbia played a role in the dog beach designs.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Give him lots of treats and belly rubs!—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
It can be added to marinades, soups, sauces, rubs, and is often on the table to be added to whatever dish is being served.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tupac’s stepbrother files a wrongful death suit and cites new turns in the 29-year-old murder case.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Taylor Swift files new trademark applications.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
From there, Sharrow thins down its propeller to precise specification with a five-axis CNC machine and polishes it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Their bestselling Regenerating Cleanser gently polishes away impurities and dullness to reveal a healthy-looking, radiant glow, clinically proven to make skin look brighter, smoother, more hydrated and pores look smaller.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The production, directed with the brooding fluidity that is David Cromer’s calling card, is most alive in the evolving dynamic between Nick and Jacki, whose romance happens by degrees then all at once before reality intervenes and the criminal justice bureaucracy grinds to a halt.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Food Processor quickly chops, slices, and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations, while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices, and herbs for superior flavor and potency.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sands. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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