dock 1 of 3

noun

ˈdäk How to pronounce dock (audio)
Definition of docknext
as in wharf
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers the boat remained tied up at the dock for a week, waiting for the weather to clear

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dock

2 of 3

verb (1)

1
as in to shorten
to make less in extent or duration the editorial was docked by about a hundred words to make it fit on the page

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2
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument the boxer's tail was docked soon after birth

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dock

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to land
to stop at or near a place along the shore the cruise ship docked at the first port of call early the next morning

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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 dock
Noun
Passengers look on as crewmembers unload everything from mail bags and grocery orders to furniture and building supplies, while island residents hop on and off at each dock. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 The property also has a 3,608-square-foot warehouse in back with an interior loading dock, two loading doors and 11-foot ceilings, accessible from the storefront and East Center Avenue. — Joe Marusak august 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
Balestrand is full of old stories and not nearly as many tourists as Bergen or Flåm, since no cruise ships dock there. — Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 However, some may tender while others dock depending on port conditions, the ship’s size and other factors. — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dock
  1. wharf
  2. shorten
  3. shave
  4. land
  5. pier
  6. cut back
  7. cut
  8. anchor
Noun
  • The redevelopment would change that by extending and upgrading existing wharves and dredging areas around the docks.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • At the wharf, mento bands would sing to the endless stream of tourists disembarking from cruise ships.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of wharf
Verb
  • Amazon's recent decision to shorten server depreciation periods underscores the risk of rapid hardware aging.
    — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Faster integration can shorten the path from production lines to operational inventories.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of shorten
Verb
  • With competition so fierce in the race to build and release the latest AI models however, the expediency of shaving off every possible drag on speed trumps all.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Kath is competitive only about things that matter, like logging steps or shaving her legs, and the game had no bearing on her reality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Val Kilmer landed the lead role of Chris Knight almost instantly.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The pay is so high that landing an entry-level analyst position at an investment bank feels like a golden ticket, especially for a first-generation student, a student from a low-income background, or a student with any student loan debt.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of land
Noun
  • Fitoor offers contemporary Indian fare, bright cocktails and beachy brunch steps from the pier.
    — Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Wide beaches, fishing piers, miniature golf, and easy access to Murrells Inlet State Park give families no shortage of ways to spend a long holiday weekend.
    — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pier
Verb
  • If most of the films fall short of profit, what’s to stop a studio from cutting back on supply and cost?
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Similarly, businesses also cut back and shrink rather than disappear.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut back
Verb
  • However, a dangerous push to cut these crucial programs, especially in Africa, risks repeating past errors and ceding influence to competitors.
    — James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Sears carried it wide, cut inside center-back Rafaelle, and fired past Moorhouse for the goal.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • Masonry fireplaces anchor the principal living spaces with an almost monastic solidity.
    — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The consignment is expected to anchor the upcoming auction season and includes paintings by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and others.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of anchor

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docility
dock
docked
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Cite this Entry

“Dock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dock. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dock

Nglish: Translation of dock for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dock

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