as in bays
a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline
the city sits on the shores of a deep estuary where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean
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Recent Examples of estuaries
Mangroves exist in the intertidal zones of warm rivers, estuaries and bays, growing in the sediment brought to the coast by the freshwater rivers and tides, according to the Australia Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
—
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
In partnership with Leave No Trace, Martin County offers the tours for free, helping visitors discover the natural beauty of the coastline’s mangroves, estuaries, hammocks, and trails.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The salt marshes and estuaries are a magnet for migratory birds, whose colorful plumage rivals the blaze of bold leaves.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Coastal estuaries are the scene of intense daily dramas of survival, featuring a cast of hundreds of species, and much of it is microscopic and underwater.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Unlike solar or wind, osmotic power can run continuously wherever fresh and saltwater meet; at estuaries, desalination plants, even inland salt lakes.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Vibrio bacteria thrive in warm seawater and particularly in brackish water—the mix of fresh and salt water found in estuaries and wetlands.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
There are also a ton of coastal marshes and estuaries that draw black ducks and mallards.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2025
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
In partnership with Leave No Trace, Martin County offers the tours for free, helping visitors discover the natural beauty of the coastline’s mangroves, estuaries, hammocks, and trails.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The salt marshes and estuaries are a magnet for migratory birds, whose colorful plumage rivals the blaze of bold leaves.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Coastal estuaries are the scene of intense daily dramas of survival, featuring a cast of hundreds of species, and much of it is microscopic and underwater.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Unlike solar or wind, osmotic power can run continuously wherever fresh and saltwater meet; at estuaries, desalination plants, even inland salt lakes.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Vibrio bacteria thrive in warm seawater and particularly in brackish water—the mix of fresh and salt water found in estuaries and wetlands.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
There are also a ton of coastal marshes and estuaries that draw black ducks and mallards.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for estuaries
Noun
-
Link’s flight simulators supercharging our pilot training with adaptive decision-making under pressure; medical residents refining teamwork and communication in simulated trauma bays; managers learning leadership through live project crises with shifting constraints and incomplete information.—
Joe Boylan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Widespread to moderate coastal flooding was also expected on the south shore bays of Long Island’s Nassau County and southwestern Suffolk County at times of high tide from Sunday to Monday, according to the National Weather Service’s New York field office.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Floodwaters threatened hundreds of homes in southwestern Colorado over the weekend as heavy rains caused rivers and creeks in multiple counties to overflow.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
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Flash flooding is especially dangerous in Arizona due to the prevalence of dry washes, creeks, and urban infrastructure that can overwhelm drainage systems with little warning.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Estuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/estuaries. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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