as in cave
a naturally formed underground chamber with an opening to the surface
at the heart of the shrine is a small rocky grotto into which pilgrims can descend
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Recent Examples of grotto
From the mud baths of Lo Specchio di Venere to Bagno Ascuitto’s hot-steam grotto, Pantelleria’s fringes constitute a natural spa with gurgling thermal waters.
—
Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
For example, one Santa with hearing loss told grotto visitors that his cochlear implants were, in fact, microphones for speaking to their hardworking elves.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
The hillside grotto where Jesus and Mary are said to have rested is open to visitors but on a recent afternoon was deserted – with burned out candles evidence of prayers but not a single visitor.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025
One mansion, four sales The massive resort-style pool in the backyard is flanked by adult palms, a jumbo chess set, fire features, and a waterfall with a grotto below and a hot tub on top.
—Ray Parisi, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grotto
Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
For example, one Santa with hearing loss told grotto visitors that his cochlear implants were, in fact, microphones for speaking to their hardworking elves.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
The hillside grotto where Jesus and Mary are said to have rested is open to visitors but on a recent afternoon was deserted – with burned out candles evidence of prayers but not a single visitor.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025
One mansion, four sales The massive resort-style pool in the backyard is flanked by adult palms, a jumbo chess set, fire features, and a waterfall with a grotto below and a hot tub on top.
—Ray Parisi, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grotto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grotto
Noun
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The Scottish singer-songwriter and activist visited Mexico this week incognito to explore the Mayan underworld, or Xibalbá — a system of caves, rivers, and underground lakes that wind beneath the Yucatan Peninsula.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
13 Mar. 2026
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The Creature carries Elizabeth's bleeding body to a cave.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While the conflict has impacted the availability of ISO-tanks, specialized vessels that carry helium, Zekauskas pointed out that Linde has a large storage cavern for its helium inventories — specifically for roughly one half year of global demand.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
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Here's what to know about the SPR, a network of salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana that can hold up to 714 million barrels of crude.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grotto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grotto. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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