river

noun

Definition of river
1
as in canal
a passageway for water A fallen tree branch was floating down the river.

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2
as in stream
an overwhelming flow or rush of something Jet streams can be thought of as giant rivers of air that circulate around the globe. He was overwhelmed by the river of new information that the document dump provided.

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Dissimilar Words

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 river Maybe next week, the boys could wade into the river near Mancelona and collect bushels of watercress, which carpeted the surface there. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 The agreement was made at a time when the region had a smaller population and benefited from wetter years, with much more snow to feed the river’s headwaters in the Rocky Mountains. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 Alternative land routes for Ukrainian grain are also being stymied by low water levels on the Danube river, and by rail maintenance in Eastern Europe. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 The town of Belmont sits near the Catawba river and Lake Wylie. — Eva Flowe august 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for river
Recent Examples of Synonyms for river
  1. canal
  2. stream
  3. waterway
  4. flood
  5. rivulet
  6. tide
Noun
  • Authorities have also begun to reduce the daily number of ships that can transit the canal.
    — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Amid concerns of a further reduction in precipitation and runoff, the canal operator has already imposed multiple draft restrictions for larger Neopanamax vessels to limit the amount of freight carried through the channel.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of canal
Noun
  • The Sound and the Fury The Compson family, their struggles, and their haunting legacies are at the center of this shattering, stream-of-consciousness marvel by William Faulkner.
    — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Outside, the lush grounds host a 55-foot pool with a spillover spa, a kitchen and bar barbecue setup, a meditation garden with an infrared sauna, a stream, and a chicken—or peacock—coop.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of stream
Noun
  • Last week, an attack on a cargo ship transiting the waterway killed a crew member.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • However, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned on Wednesday the United States would have to lift its blockade on the narrow waterway.
    — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of waterway
Noun
  • The twin springs that gave the Revolutionary War battle its name are no more, inundated by the 1940s project that flooded the Santee River basin for hydroelectric power and flood control.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • That heavy rainfall triggered floods and mudslides that destroyed roads and bridges.
    — Chandelis Duster, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of flood
Noun
  • Madly sentient guts spill from the sitter’s back in swollen rivulets.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026
  • Our beach quickly turned into a morass of clay, cut through by dozens of fast-flowing rivulets.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of rivulet
Noun
  • Saltwater speeds up rust and wear, plants need regular care, docks face storms and tides, and equipment like generators, solar panels, and desalination systems will eventually need replacing.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The tides are turning a bit on the perception of starting out on coming-of-age or romance series.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tide

Phrases Containing river

Browse Nearby Words

riven
river
riverbank
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Cite this Entry

“River.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/river. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on river

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about river

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