as in caverns
a naturally formed underground chamber with an opening to the surface
Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is actually a series of large chambers on five levels
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of caves
Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
The staff takes care of everything from meal preparation to activity planning (which can include igloo-building, hiking, exploring ice caves, a glacier picnic, and more).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Outer-glow-only caves under pressure.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
The ancient Maya believed that caves were entrances to the underworld, and in Belize, travelers can explore a number of them by hiking, canoeing, tubing, or swimming.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Shot along the mountainous beach trails and caves of San Francisco by photographer and visual artist Peter Sutherland, the campaign is a surreal interpretation of the collection.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 5 Feb. 2026
Such tools are only preserved in specific environments like in ice, caves or underwater.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Such tools are only preserved in specific environments like in ice, caves or underwater.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The invasive pests originally lived off the blood of bats, and when humans started sheltering in caves, bed bugs began feeding on them instead.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
The Wild Boars youth soccer team, all between 11 to 16 years old, had taken a field trip to the caves on June 23 and were trapped about two miles deep by flooding.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
The staff takes care of everything from meal preparation to activity planning (which can include igloo-building, hiking, exploring ice caves, a glacier picnic, and more).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Outer-glow-only caves under pressure.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
The ancient Maya believed that caves were entrances to the underworld, and in Belize, travelers can explore a number of them by hiking, canoeing, tubing, or swimming.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Shot along the mountainous beach trails and caves of San Francisco by photographer and visual artist Peter Sutherland, the campaign is a surreal interpretation of the collection.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 5 Feb. 2026
Such tools are only preserved in specific environments like in ice, caves or underwater.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Such tools are only preserved in specific environments like in ice, caves or underwater.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The invasive pests originally lived off the blood of bats, and when humans started sheltering in caves, bed bugs began feeding on them instead.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caves
Noun
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These caverns under sidewalks could be used for storage, and circular pieces of thick glass in the sidewalk added natural light to these eerie underground chambers.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
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During summer months, the Wyandotte Caves attract visitors who wish to explore the unique underground caverns.—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Each state or local organization submits salary and travel data to the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.—
Phoebe Quinton,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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If passed, the AI Overwatch Act would revoke existing licenses for such AI chip transfers and impose a temporary ban until the administration submits a national security strategy on AI exports.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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Starting with cake mix is a clever shortcut that not only speeds up the baking progress, but yields a cookie with an extra supple texture.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
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Research yields conflicting results as to whether creatine increases anabolic hormones.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After Jamie Gittens overruns the ball, Jorrel Hato picks up the pieces and reworks the move out wide to Cole Palmer.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pythons are constrictors, known to grip prey in their jaws, coil around it, then squeeze until the victim capitulates.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Caves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caves. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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