as in levee
a bank of earth constructed to control water
the river backed up behind the dam until it formed a new lake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
ice floes were damming the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 dam
Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 4 July 2025
In 1994, the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District retrofitted the Capay Diversion Dam, which was the longest dam in the world made of a rubber bladder.
—Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025
Laura Paddison, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
These results highlight a strange irony: Humans have made the world more stressful for all kinds of animals by, for example, destroying their habitat and damming up rivers.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dam
Noun
The $5 billion dam, Africa’s biggest hydroelectric project, is expected to more than double electricity generation capacity in Ethiopia, where around 60% of the population lacks access to power.
—Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 4 July 2025
In 1994, the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District retrofitted the Capay Diversion Dam, which was the longest dam in the world made of a rubber bladder.
—Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
To solve it, the canal authority has now landed on a plan to dam the nearby Río Indio to create a new reservoir.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
These results highlight a strange irony: Humans have made the world more stressful for all kinds of animals by, for example, destroying their habitat and damming up rivers.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dam
Noun
-
Sacramento police are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered Saturday evening near a levee close to the 50 block of Main Avenue.—
The Sacramento Bee,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2025
-
The Trinity River in Dallas overflows its banks and is contained by the levees after historic rainfall in August 2022.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Verb
-
Courthouse security directed media members to leave in the opposite direction, blocking the way.—
John Diedrich,
jsonline.com,
7 July 2025
-
At the agency, Trainor has muscled support to block Democrats from weaponizing the FEC against Trump and Republicans.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
This winter, a Roman grave filled with gypsum was found during a highway construction project in England.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
-
The Dukes of Hazzard ran for seven seasons on CBS, wrapping up in 1985 after 147 episodes filled with moonshine mischief and good-old-boy adventures.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
Sherry, 65, and Monty Walden, 69, said the river rose above their 25-foot embankment.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
-
His daughters’ bodies were nearly 100 yards away down a small embankment, along with zip ties and plastic bags found strewn throughout the area, according to a police affidavit.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 July 2025
-
In addition, Yoon is accused of obstructing warrant executions by the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) in December and January by mobilizing the presidential security detail and authorizing the use of force.—
Yoonjung Seo,
CNN Money,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Choose a generously sized picnic blanket with a waterproof backing—ideally one that’s soft, stylish and easy to pack.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
In the early days of the war, the United States and its G-7 allies crafted sanctions and export controls that were thought to pack a powerful punch but in fact had so many mitigations built in that they were robbed of their full impact.—
Michael Carpenter,
Foreign Affairs,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Days after the Guadalupe River flooded and claimed dozens of lives, another major river in Texas has triggered warnings from the National Weather Service.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
14 July 2025
-
Previous storms have flooded Mason’s building, damaging appliances and furniture, but this time she was mostly spared.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Don’t plug too many appliances into the same outlet, and don’t rely on power strips for heavy-duty appliances, such as air conditioning units.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
The European Union is racing to plug a shortfall of as much as $19 billion in Ukraine’s 2026 annual budget.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dam. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share