forest

noun

ˈfȯr-əst How to pronounce forest (audio)
Definition of forestnext
as in woodland
a dense growth of trees and shrubs covering a large area the endless forest that the first European settlers encountered

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 forest Herbert Wayne Smith, 65, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the blaze that has destroyed seven structures and scorched more than 15 square miles (39 square km) of forest in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Calaveras County. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 And, because some questions simply insist upon being asked, what sort of planning permission is required to construct a palace in the middle of an enchanted forest? — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026 He was booked on suspicion of unlawfully causing a fire that burned structures or forest land and bonded out Tuesday evening, according to jail officials. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Photos must be taken at a DuPage County forest preserve, a news release said. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forest
  1. woodland
  2. forestland
Noun
  • Eastern box turtles are native to New Jersey, and tend to prefer to live near woodlands and meadows, according to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The property’s woodlands of oak, chestnut and pine trees host a vast number of natural botanicals; the Mediterranean scrub ultimately defines Gin del Drago’s aromatic profile and showcases the biodiversity of the estate in a glass.
    — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of woodland
Noun
  • Video from the region showed homes and vehicles burned, and huge swaths of forestland blackened.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • Two of the eight summits, on community and forestland, do not yet have assigned dates or locations.
    — Lizzie Kane June 29, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of forestland

Browse Nearby Words

foresightful
forest
forestall
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forest. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forest

Nglish: Translation of forest for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about forest

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