1
as in brooks
a natural body of running water smaller than a river
the shallow creek that runs in back of our house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in estuaries
chiefly British
a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline
explored many of the creeks along the Cornwall coast of England
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of creeks
Bear cans are a must, as are sturdy shoes with solid treads and waterproof footwear to cross creeks.
—
Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
The deep southern creeks were once like this — serene, thick with fish, and loud with birds.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Areas surrounding the Santa Monica Pier, Topanga Canyon Beach, Surfrider Beach and Escondido State Beach are included in the advisory, along with sections near storm drains and creeks where runoff can affect water quality.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
The grassroots campaign against herbicide application in creeks — which led to a heated town hall on March 3 — has brought attention to how OC Public Works manages the county’s 380 miles of flood channels, and whether crews can both mitigate flood risk and preserve natural ecosystems.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Take an ecotour with Pawleys Island Guide Services to explore the marshes, deltas, tidal creeks, and estuaries that wind their way around the island.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
There were about five inches of snow on the ground, and the bogs and sluggish creeks, often flooded by beaver dams, were frozen over but not hard enough to hold us.
—Elwyn "bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Some creeks and streams could still rise quickly, especially in the Kansas City metro.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
The deep southern creeks were once like this — serene, thick with fish, and loud with birds.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Areas surrounding the Santa Monica Pier, Topanga Canyon Beach, Surfrider Beach and Escondido State Beach are included in the advisory, along with sections near storm drains and creeks where runoff can affect water quality.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
The grassroots campaign against herbicide application in creeks — which led to a heated town hall on March 3 — has brought attention to how OC Public Works manages the county’s 380 miles of flood channels, and whether crews can both mitigate flood risk and preserve natural ecosystems.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Take an ecotour with Pawleys Island Guide Services to explore the marshes, deltas, tidal creeks, and estuaries that wind their way around the island.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
There were about five inches of snow on the ground, and the bogs and sluggish creeks, often flooded by beaver dams, were frozen over but not hard enough to hold us.
—Elwyn "bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Some creeks and streams could still rise quickly, especially in the Kansas City metro.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for creeks
Noun
-
The property, which features lush greenery and old-growth trees set among babbling brooks and water features, is open to the public, and the gardens have served as a popular spot for weddings over the decades in addition to an annual Mother’s Day tea that Weston said attracts hundreds each year.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Many of these parcels have elements like oak woodlands, meadows, brooks and rivers that create cooler, wetter areas that help plants and animals endure wildfires or periods of extreme heat or drought.—
Beth Rose Middleton Manning,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In a new study, Daniel Petras, a biochemist at UC Riverside — together with 29 researchers from around the world — looked at 2,315 seawater samples collected from estuaries, coastal regions, coral reefs and the open ocean.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
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These sharks are thought to be bottom-feeders, preying on fish that frequent the floors of rivers and estuaries.—
John P. Rafferty,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Top 5 Can’t Miss Sleep on the shores of one of Japan’s most scenic bays in the upscale Matsushima Sakan Shoan ryokan.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Others, like the ribbon weed that grows in the bays of Gathaagudu, Australia, poke their flowers from tiny spikes atop leafless stems.—
David George Haskell,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As gray dawn seeped into the mountain woods, the wildlife symphony rang down the ridges and through the high coves.—
Charles Elliott,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There are a couple of sandy beaches, but most are rocky, and the island is ringed by pretty inlets and coves.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Creeks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/creeks. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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