as in levee
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 to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
ice floes were damming the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dam
Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Hundreds of non-federal dams are set to have their licenses expire in the next decade.
—Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 4 Jan. 2025
Key streams that once produced ample salmon — including the lower Snake River — are dammed, which restricts access to and survival of the fish.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dam
Noun
But dams throughout the watershed had robbed the fish of valuable habitat, and invasive small-mouth bass preyed on the chub, putting it on the endangered species list.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Hundreds of non-federal dams are set to have their licenses expire in the next decade.
—Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
Creative power can be dammed up or forestalled by everyday life, ordinary life, life in the squirrel cage.
—Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 4 Jan. 2025
Key streams that once produced ample salmon — including the lower Snake River — are dammed, which restricts access to and survival of the fish.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dam
Noun
-
In the early 1900s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began installing canals and levees to control flooding in the Everglades, which allowed people to build farms and communities along its edges.—
John Kominoski,
The Conversation,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Dozens of rivers from Arkansas to Indiana were flooding on Sunday, threatening bridges, levees, water and sewage systems, and other infrastructure.—
Patrick J. Lyons,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The city also hands out Narcan, which reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of the opiate on the brain and by restoring breathing.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Mangione's attorneys have sought to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His path has been long, filled with moments of uncertainty and sacrifice.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
24 Apr. 2025
-
After defrosting them in the microwave or in the fridge overnight, they can be torn apart by hand to become noodles or left whole to fill, roll up, and fry.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Footage showed the mangled wreckage on an embankment on the side of the highway.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Beltram’s truck hit their car, sending it down an embankment, crushing the passenger side compartment of the car, according to the District Attorney’s Office.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control. Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Burroughs was fired from the department and charged with making a false police report, obstructing justice, breaking and entering a motor vehicle and possession of heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
About 300 people packed U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs’ townhall this week in El Cajon, many looking for answers and reassurance from the Democratic congresswoman about how to push back against President Trump’s agenda.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2025
-
In total, your cereal dinner should pack around 30 grams of protein and enough fiber to reach your 25-to-35-gram-per-day goal, according to Van Eck.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Christians and Muslims flooded social media with tributes, remembering his vocal condemnation of violence and consistent empathy for Gaza's civilians.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
-
When so many seats flood the market like that, airlines often respond by dropping prices to undercut the competition.—
Nerdwallet,
Hartford Courant,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Only plug one heat-producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Wi-Fi: Wireless Fidelity is how devices that don't plug into a modem connect to the internet.—
David Brinkerhoff,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dam. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share