as in canals
an open man-made passageway for water
the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waterways
The states are part of a multi-state and international coalition bent on keeping the voracious fish out of the region’s waterways.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
In January 2026, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released plans to open up parts of Southern California, including public land adjacent to national and state parks, protected coastlines, and waterways.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 20 Mar. 2026
Wastewater from dyeing and finishing contains high levels of chemical contaminants, according to author Lavinia Muth, contributing to ecological collapse in waterways such as those surrounding Dhaka.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
Connecticut contains over 3,000 lakes, ponds, and waterways across the state, according to Connecticut’s tourism office.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
The warm-up also has officials reminding people that just because the air is warm does not mean the waterways are safe for swimming, as much of the water is snow runoff, keeping lake and river temperatures dangerously cold.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
As buildings continue to smolder and clearing debris sends harmful particles back into the air, the pollutants can also contaminate agriculture and waterways.
—Armin Sorooshian, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
From the shoreline along Tampa Bay to the Gulf and Boca Ciega Bay as well as the intercoastal waterways, there are more than 200 miles of shoreline to explore.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
Supply chain disruptions from closed airspace and waterways are also delaying aircraft maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), and exacerbating existing aircraft delivery delays from manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
In January 2026, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released plans to open up parts of Southern California, including public land adjacent to national and state parks, protected coastlines, and waterways.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 20 Mar. 2026
Wastewater from dyeing and finishing contains high levels of chemical contaminants, according to author Lavinia Muth, contributing to ecological collapse in waterways such as those surrounding Dhaka.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
Connecticut contains over 3,000 lakes, ponds, and waterways across the state, according to Connecticut’s tourism office.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
The warm-up also has officials reminding people that just because the air is warm does not mean the waterways are safe for swimming, as much of the water is snow runoff, keeping lake and river temperatures dangerously cold.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
As buildings continue to smolder and clearing debris sends harmful particles back into the air, the pollutants can also contaminate agriculture and waterways.
—Armin Sorooshian, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
From the shoreline along Tampa Bay to the Gulf and Boca Ciega Bay as well as the intercoastal waterways, there are more than 200 miles of shoreline to explore.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
Supply chain disruptions from closed airspace and waterways are also delaying aircraft maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), and exacerbating existing aircraft delivery delays from manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waterways
Noun
-
In California, groundwater has rebounded in areas that obtained more water from canals or pipelines decades ago, including Santa Clara Valley, Livermore-Amador Valley, South Yuba Basin, Yucca Valley and parts of Los Angeles.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The lizards have spread rapidly across Florida's waterways and canals.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Picnic in the shadow of ancient aqueducts.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2026
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Students learn how their water travels from the Sierra Nevada through reservoirs, pipes and aqueducts to finally end up in their homes.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waterways.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waterways. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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