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
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Recent Examples of dams
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
Then April's record rainfall created more runoff than waterways, dams and culverts could handle.
—
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Both warring parties have increasingly launched explosive-laden drones that, in multiple cases, targeted civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, dams, schools, markets, and displacement camps.
—
ABC News,
15 June 2026
This journey requires them to climb fish ladders over dams, navigate culverts diverting streams under roads, and ascend up to elevations of 7,000 feet.
—
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2026
If Iran normalizes threats against Gulf water infrastructure, Gulf states may view Iran’s own reservoirs, dams, power grids, and energy facilities as possible targets in return.
—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
The deferred maintenance costs for those assets, which include roads, trails, bridges and dams, total more than $8 billion, according to the documents.
—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
6 June 2026
Dam Removal Europe found that the number of dams dismantled in 2025, along with other water-flow controls like weirs, culverts and sluices, grew by 11% from the year before.
—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
3 June 2026
Many of the dams in the USACE portfolio are over 50 years old.
—
D. Hunter Reardon,
USA Today,
3 June 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
Manipulating the timing of releases from dams on the western rivers could flood Pakistani farmland during planting seasons, while withholding water during critical irrigation windows could devastate harvests.
—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
Then April's record rainfall created more runoff than waterways, dams and culverts could handle.
—
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Both warring parties have increasingly launched explosive-laden drones that, in multiple cases, targeted civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, dams, schools, markets, and displacement camps.
—
ABC News,
15 June 2026
This journey requires them to climb fish ladders over dams, navigate culverts diverting streams under roads, and ascend up to elevations of 7,000 feet.
—
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2026
If Iran normalizes threats against Gulf water infrastructure, Gulf states may view Iran’s own reservoirs, dams, power grids, and energy facilities as possible targets in return.
—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
The deferred maintenance costs for those assets, which include roads, trails, bridges and dams, total more than $8 billion, according to the documents.
—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
6 June 2026
Dam Removal Europe found that the number of dams dismantled in 2025, along with other water-flow controls like weirs, culverts and sluices, grew by 11% from the year before.
—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
3 June 2026
Many of the dams in the USACE portfolio are over 50 years old.
—
D. Hunter Reardon,
USA Today,
3 June 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
-
In his view, its role is merely to maintain the levees for flood protection.
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Maintaining urban wetlands can help reduce flooding, protect property and recharge groundwater more effectively and for less money than building and maintaining levees.
Verb
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The Earth’s atmosphere blocks most of the Sun’s radiation.
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This could be an indication that the P-trap under the sink has dried out, which means water no longer blocks unpleasant smells from rising.
Verb
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September 2012 – Days after the $34 million restoration project is complete, the pool fills with algae, USA TODAY and the Washington Post reported.
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This season fills your calendar and inbox with conversations, errands, paperwork, local events and possibly even a reunion with someone from your past.
Noun
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Riding mowers are not designed for wet conditions and are more likely to roll on embankments.
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Been there as communities have tried to tame the mighty waters with levees and embankments, and battled 100-pound invasive fish.
Verb
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Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
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Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
Verb
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The discovery also plugs a gap in our understanding of Venus's dense atmosphere.
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Another distinction is its saddle and seatpost, which form a unit that plugs into a corner of the square motor/battery assembly.
Verb
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This is the essence of GPS spoofing, in which an attacker floods a GPS receiver with deceptive signals.
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Melatonin floods the brain and body, telling each cell that night has come.
Verb
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Conveniently, the pillow packs into its own pouch, which can be attached to a personal item or packed inside a carry-on.
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Our expert take The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections, flexible rewards and more.
Cite this Entry
“Dams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dams. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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