river

noun

Definition of rivernext
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 According to the Korean principle of baesanimsu, which recommends building a house with a mountain at the back and a river at the front, interior designer Hye-Jin Ris Kim’s home in Seoul’s hilly Hannam-dong neighborhood is perfectly situated. — Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026 Of rivers that resembled living creatures and of golden statues of the Virgin, sent for by Father Antonio Ruiz from far-off lands. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026 The river that gives us water to drink is the same one that might wash us away. — Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 Schrader credits their return to the Fox River – and a surprising choice by a pair of falcons to nest outside Aurora City Hall in early April that enamored the town – to a long history of river cleanup efforts. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 13 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
  • As Jan races north along the canals, his unwanted passengers force him to confront a reality far removed from his own and to see life from a new perspective.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts said the rise in transit prices is also related to the intensification of El Niño conditions this year and lower water levels in the canal.
    — , CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of canal
Noun
  • The many windows let natural light stream in through the view of the surrounding live oaks.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The model includes information about the stream and surrounding area, such as elevation, slope of the stream, how straight the stream is, the number of streams nearby, average precipitation and geology of the bedrock layer.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of stream
Noun
  • The world’s most critical waterway remains functionally closed, despite the president insisting that the US retains total control of it.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Williamson said protection of county waterways is a major pillar of his campaign, highlighting the dangers of chemical sprays meant to control plants that end up damaging the ecosystem.
    — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of waterway
Noun
  • The loss of virtual companions has provoked a flood of complaints, according to posts and screenshots shown on social media.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Campaigners have called on policymakers to impose higher taxes on energy majors to help fund climate-resilient infrastructure, such as fire and flood defenses.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 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
  • Isn’t there an old joke about trying to hold the tide back with a broom?
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Democratic voters in Wisconsin finally came to their senses, and a last-minute ballot count turned the tide.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on river

Nglish: Translation of river for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about river

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