as in headwater
a stream that flows into a larger body of water
the Amazon and its more than 1,000 known tributaries form the world's largest drainage basin
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as in subordinate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tributary
Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
Alongside the tectonic activity, Obiero says changing weather patterns in southwestern Ethiopia are likely a significant factor, increasing inflow into the lake through the Omo river, its major tributary.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Sometimes the killers may be Chechens maybe organized by Putin’s other feral favourite, his tributary ruler of Russia’s Chechen republic, Kadyrov.
—Time, 24 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for tributary
Noun
In Lake Michigan, the chief source of drinking water for Chicago and its suburbs, the pellets spread from tributaries and pour out of dozens of sewage treatment plants ringing the lake.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
Alongside the tectonic activity, Obiero says changing weather patterns in southwestern Ethiopia are likely a significant factor, increasing inflow into the lake through the Omo river, its major tributary.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
Adjective
That salty, terminal lake had its tributary water diverted away by the city of Los Angeles, turning it into a dry salt flat.
—Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Sometimes the killers may be Chechens maybe organized by Putin’s other feral favourite, his tributary ruler of Russia’s Chechen republic, Kadyrov.
—Time, 24 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for tributary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tributary
Noun
-
These burn areas create barriers around villages, headwaters and sensitive sites, protecting them from wildfires during peak drought.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
The Cassai Life Atlas discoveries build on a decade's worth of surveys led by the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project within the Okavango and Lungwevungu headwaters, which uncovered a combined total of over 70 species confirmed new to science, according to The Wilderness Project.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
The economic order must remain subordinate to human dignity and the common good.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
30 May 2026
-
The study examined 518 manager-subordinate relationships and found that this leadership approach enhanced both employee thriving and performance through stronger positive job attitudes.—
Mary Hemphill,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Plastic panels and tree branches littered parking spaces.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
Just snip away dead, damaged, or diseased branches to keep these shrubs looking trim.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is the son of former NBA player and current Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson and nonprofit CFO Sandra Brunson.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 June 2026
-
What the lawsuit mentions Kathryn Albert, the school's former assistant principal, was briefly mentioned in the fake audio.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The bayou rhythms already had some people dancing in the area between the pavilion’s seats and its lawn.—
Kevin McKeough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
Destinations include the New England coast, New York City, and the Louisiana bayou.—
Megan duBois,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
With 17 points in 19 minutes, Anunoby has gone from his usual role of a complementary player to a vital scorer in Game 3.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
-
If the tile goes mid-way up the wall, the designer recommends choosing a paint color that enhances the tile’s color, either a similar hue or a complementary tone.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Tomatoes are heavy feeders and need regular fertilizing to continue producing fruit.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
11 June 2026
-
However, amid the worsening violence and frequent attacks at the ports, a number of shipping lines have ceased calling directly on Port-au-Prince and instead route cargo through regional hubs such as Jamaica before transferring to smaller feeder vessels.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Alzheimer’s disease was a significant contributory factor in Hackman’s death.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
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The court recognizes that the concepts of contributory liability in these statutory types of IP protection share common boundaries.—
Jess Collen,
Forbes.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tributary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributary. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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