as in beach
the usually sandy or gravelly land bordering a body of water
we went for a moonlight walk on the sands
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in rubs
to make smooth by friction
painstakingly sanded down the wooden floors of the old house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sands
Geoff Emberling, The Conversation, 19 May 2026
Seafaring Ligurians, Roman imperialists, Genoese shipbuilders, and aristocratic health seekers had all trodden its sands before.
—Nick Scott, Robb Report, 17 May 2026
From island hopping along the always-sunny Maldives and admiring pink sands in the Bahamas, to coconut mangrove-trekking in the Philippines and biking past pineapple fields in French Polynesia, tropical charm manifests in an array of ways.
—Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 May 2026
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Visitors attending the festival can also take the opportunity to explore Eleuthera, which has more than 120 beaches with powdery sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
—Taryn White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
North Avenue Beach, Chicago, Illinois North Avenue Beach is one of the most popular stretches in Chicago thanks to its golden sands and stunning views of the city and Lake Michigan.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Boca Raton — Boca Raton is one of the wealthiest cities in Florida, but even along its golden sands, people still get stuck in fiscal undertows.
—Steve Hartman, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Even Luke Skywalker dons a pair of beige Levi’s—transformed from a miner’s uniform into a symbol of rebellious cool by the likes of James Dean—to blend in with the desert sands of Tatooine, a former mining outpost.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
After all, the Canadian oil sands produce a heavier grade of crude, as does Venezuela.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Chapman sands his board occasionally to remove this top layer of funk.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
Finer clays, silts and coarser sands would all have been deposited by different processes.
—Geoff Emberling, The Conversation, 19 May 2026
Seafaring Ligurians, Roman imperialists, Genoese shipbuilders, and aristocratic health seekers had all trodden its sands before.
—Nick Scott, Robb Report, 17 May 2026
From island hopping along the always-sunny Maldives and admiring pink sands in the Bahamas, to coconut mangrove-trekking in the Philippines and biking past pineapple fields in French Polynesia, tropical charm manifests in an array of ways.
—Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 May 2026
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Visitors attending the festival can also take the opportunity to explore Eleuthera, which has more than 120 beaches with powdery sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
—Taryn White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
North Avenue Beach, Chicago, Illinois North Avenue Beach is one of the most popular stretches in Chicago thanks to its golden sands and stunning views of the city and Lake Michigan.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Boca Raton — Boca Raton is one of the wealthiest cities in Florida, but even along its golden sands, people still get stuck in fiscal undertows.
—Steve Hartman, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Even Luke Skywalker dons a pair of beige Levi’s—transformed from a miner’s uniform into a symbol of rebellious cool by the likes of James Dean—to blend in with the desert sands of Tatooine, a former mining outpost.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
After all, the Canadian oil sands produce a heavier grade of crude, as does Venezuela.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Verb
Sawdust sprays as Matt Sams meticulously sands the edges of a balcony railing that will soon be affixed to the front of a house.
—Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Chapman sands his board occasionally to remove this top layer of funk.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sands
Noun
-
This floral cardigan can be worn for all sorts of occasions—not just a day at the beach.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
Right on the beach is Leon’s at Meads Bay, serving Caribbean classics with South Asian flair, and there’s live music on the weekends.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The plastic bristles coax out loose hair as your cat rubs against it.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
Expect wagyu brisket, lemon-zested ribs and rubs with hints of curry or tandoori.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The clerk’s inquiry is required by law after someone files a complaint, said Saul Seyler, Ada County’s elections director.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
14 May 2026
-
The district attorney that prosecuted the case represents the state during this process and files briefs responding to the claims, per the handbook.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
From there, Sharrow thins down its propeller to precise specification with a five-axis CNC machine and polishes it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Their bestselling Regenerating Cleanser gently polishes away impurities and dullness to reveal a healthy-looking, radiant glow, clinically proven to make skin look brighter, smoother, more hydrated and pores look smaller.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro raises his hand skyward, all on-field action grinds to a halt.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
Their offensive flow grinds to a halt.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sands. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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