troughs

plural of trough
1
as in pipes
a long hollow cylinder for carrying a substance (as a liquid or gas) all of the wiring for the converted residential loft is concealed in a vertical trough

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2
as in ditches
a long narrow channel dug in the earth I slid and fell into the trough by the side of the road, scraping my leg

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3
as in gutters
a pipe or channel for carrying off water from a roof the troughs on the eaves of the house were clogged with leaves

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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 troughs This effect is amplified by the natural asymmetry of sea waves – their crests are typically sharper and steeper than their flatter troughs. Francesco Fedele, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2025 The hadal zone is primarily comprised of oceanic trenches and troughs — some of the deepest and least explored environments on Earth. Marlowe Starling, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025 Misjudgements and poor patches of form are part of the narrative in Test match troughs. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024 Additionally, several settlement pits, troughs, and above-ground structures were identified. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2024 Not so with axions; quantum interference patterns would result in the distribution of axions in a galaxy's dark matter halo to come in peaks and troughs, each extending thousands of light-years. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2024 These winds blow west to east, but the belt can shift north and south, forming ridges and troughs. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 27 Nov. 2024 While there have been peaks and troughs in the number of homes sold since then, sales have not recovered to above the 5 million sales per month mark that was common prior to the pandemic. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for troughs
Noun
  • Batons, sticks, pipes, and small arms are among their favorite weapons.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Included is a set of pipes at the front of the sanctuary, behind the pulpit, called the Chancel Swell, which is used when the organ is played for smaller gatherings.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks, streams and ditches in the Tehama County Division of the Park Fire Burn Scar.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The district remains a throwback to the old days, much like the ancient thistle districts and thistle commissioners who were once found across Lake County in an attempt to stomp out the noxious weeds from farmlands and roadside ditches.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Bolster or reattach sagging gutters, tighten up screws, and seal any cracks or leaks with gutter sealant.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Remove standing water from your flowerpots, gutters, pool covers, pet dishes, or birdbaths.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The San Pablo Bay Pipeline is the larger of two conduits carrying crude to Northern California.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The project also includes the resurfacing and restriping of the existing parking lot, new accessible parking spaces, new streetlights, conduits for future vehicle charging stations, the replacement of walkways, and stormwater improvements.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While many were watching the models wearing the storied Manhattan house's spring 2026 designs—which included oversized slacks, trenches, and a touch of chiffon—we were rapt by Fanning's hair.
    Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Pour blender compost around plants, or into trenches, compost piles, or worm bins.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There’s a mascara that plumps and a mascara that tubes.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The accompanying image of Jîna lying unconscious in a hospital bed, with a swollen face, tubes coming out of her mouth, and dried blood on her ears, went viral.
    Fatemeh Jamalpour, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, the ravines have become junkyards, where home appliances, grocery carts, bald tires, grass clippings and autumn leaves have been dumped.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The tracks led north and east now, angling and twisting through the timber, across ravines and small draws, avoiding parks and passes, heading generally into the wind.
    Fred C. Mercer, Outdoor Life, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Images of Gaza, carried nonstop on Emirati and Saudi news channels — not just Qatar’s Al Jazeera or Iranian media — are stoking widespread anger, the analyst said.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Amszke Vegan Leather Saddle Bag Structured and understated, this vegan leather saddle bag channels the equestrian roots of classic prep style.
    Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Troughs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troughs. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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