variants
also cañons
as in ravines
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
as the scouts made their way through the canyon, they marveled at the sheer walls of rock on both sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of canyons
By nightfall, 100-mile-per-hour winds howled through the canyons.
—
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
For Peru, that means looking beyond Machu Picchu and Cusco to discover what lies south—a region of white volcanic cities, canyons twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and a food scene that rivals Lima’s in flavor (if not fame).
—AFAR Media, 11 May 2026
The council also exempted from SB 79 areas that are close to a transit stop but violate the spirit of SB 79 because residents can’t walk to it easily because of barriers like canyons, freeways or a lack of sidewalks.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Each of these finger canyons is like a miniature Zion Canyon, broad at its mouth and narrowing to a deep slot at the upper end.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Grand Junction, Colorado Beyond the Rockies is a whole different Colorado, an arid region of red-rock canyons, fertile valleys fed by the upper Colorado River, and a city called Grand Junction that seems light years removed from high-rise Denver and those chic ski resorts.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Some of the most ambitious wellness retreats USA travelers can book in 2026 are tucked into red-rock canyons, Sonoran desert, Hawaiian coastline and Appalachian mountains, blending spa science, outdoor adventure and serious culinary firepower.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, Zion National Park, Utah Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is known for spectacular scenery that includes colorful mountains, peaks, sandstone formations, canyons, waterfalls, cliffs, and wildlife.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Early the next morning, the crew hunted out some more canyons to cruise.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
For Peru, that means looking beyond Machu Picchu and Cusco to discover what lies south—a region of white volcanic cities, canyons twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and a food scene that rivals Lima’s in flavor (if not fame).
—AFAR Media, 11 May 2026
The council also exempted from SB 79 areas that are close to a transit stop but violate the spirit of SB 79 because residents can’t walk to it easily because of barriers like canyons, freeways or a lack of sidewalks.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Each of these finger canyons is like a miniature Zion Canyon, broad at its mouth and narrowing to a deep slot at the upper end.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Grand Junction, Colorado Beyond the Rockies is a whole different Colorado, an arid region of red-rock canyons, fertile valleys fed by the upper Colorado River, and a city called Grand Junction that seems light years removed from high-rise Denver and those chic ski resorts.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Some of the most ambitious wellness retreats USA travelers can book in 2026 are tucked into red-rock canyons, Sonoran desert, Hawaiian coastline and Appalachian mountains, blending spa science, outdoor adventure and serious culinary firepower.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, Zion National Park, Utah Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is known for spectacular scenery that includes colorful mountains, peaks, sandstone formations, canyons, waterfalls, cliffs, and wildlife.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Early the next morning, the crew hunted out some more canyons to cruise.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canyons
Noun
-
Madeira’s cliffs and ravines are difficult enough that many walking holidays there are guided and focused on one part of the island, including the eight-mile forest hike through Ribeiro Frio.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2026
-
The manhunt has so far been contained to Stewart County, where search crews are up against an immediate terrain of steep hills with deep ravines or hollows, the sheriff said.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Dimitsana and Arcadian mountain trails The heartland of the Peloponnese is Arcadia, a mountainous province of gorges and hills, many precariously topped by medieval towns.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The island’s eastern region of Lasithi is home to dramatic gorges, small mountain villages, Europe’s largest natural palm forest—and fewer crowds.—
Yulia Denisyuk,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The emerald oasis, reachable by boat, helicopter tour, or strenuous trek, is an amalgam of steep cliffs and verdant valleys spilling out to the cerulean sea.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
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Researchers believe huge quantities of groundwater likely burst onto the surface in a series of catastrophic floods that surged downhill and rapidly carved the waterworn valleys visible today.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canyons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canyons. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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