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
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as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
ice floes were damming the river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of dam
Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Water managers in the upper basin states have come under criticism recently from environmentalists and officials in other states for moving ahead with plans for new dams and diversions that would take more water from the river.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Thomas N. Thompson, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2013
The debris flows formed from volcanic debris melting part of a glacier ended up damming the Chakachatna River, briefly creating a new lake along the river valley.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dam 
Noun
Dana Taylor: There was a dam removal celebration after remnants from the last dam were hauled away.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Water managers in the upper basin states have come under criticism recently from environmentalists and officials in other states for moving ahead with plans for new dams and diversions that would take more water from the river.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
The country has dammed every major river on the Tibetan plateau, including the Mekong, the Salween, the Brahmaputra, the Yangtze, the Yellow, the Indus, the Sutlej, the Shweli, and the Karnali, and there are large-scale plans to dam others.
—Thomas N. Thompson, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2013
The debris flows formed from volcanic debris melting part of a glacier ended up damming the Chakachatna River, briefly creating a new lake along the river valley.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dam
Noun
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Some of these include walls made of concrete or other materials, or levees which can be made natural materials such as rocks and earth.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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Opponents of the tunnel have argued the state should instead invest in other approaches in the Delta, such as strengthening aging levees and restoring natural floodplains to reduce flood risks, while changing water management and improving existing infrastructure to protect the estuary’s health.Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Researchers came to those conclusions by examining an apnea-hypopnea index, or AHI, which records the number of times per hour a person’s breathing shows a restricted or completely blocked airway.Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
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Naloxone works by pushing the fentanyl molecules off the brain’s opioid receptors and then blocking any further fentanyl from attaching to the receptors.Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The awesome power of their example fills me with optimism.Jennifer Lotito, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
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Having not started life at Arsenal quite as fiercely as many fans had hoped or expected since her transfer in 2023, Russo is increasingly filling the expectations that were placed upon her.Jessy Parker Humphreys, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Or that one that tipped over changing lanes on the Garden State Parkway, and tumbled side-over-side down a steep embankment into a quarry, killing 8.Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2024
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The tree Tipton clung to was about 75 feet off the embankment, with floodwaters rushing around it.Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Prosecutors said in November that former Adams aide Mohamed Bahi is also weighing a plea deal in a separate case, in which he’s charged with obstructing the corruption investigation that led to the mayor’s indictment.Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 23 Dec. 2024
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Twenty-two of the charges, including 11 counts of obstructing free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and 11 hate crimes resulting in death, carried the death penalty.Tara Suter, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Furthermore, some believe Gaetz packs a political skillset that Democrats should exploit for their own advantage.Philip Elliott, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
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The Pantry offers pastries and sandwiches and in fair weather, the patio is often packed with visitors and locals who can drink in the view of that namesake feature in the Cascade mountains.Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In a world flooded with ads and messages, the brands that stand out are the ones that create real, human connections through their stories.Somdutta Singh, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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A lot of fans flooded his comments to echo the same sentiments.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Portable heat pumps can go into a window much like a window air conditioning unit and plug into the wall for power.Julia Simon, NPR, 25 Dec. 2024
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Defensive tackle Bill Norton used all 335 of his pounds to move Clemson right guard Walker Parks, plug up the middle and tackle running back Keith Adams Jr. short of the goal line.The Athletic College Football Staff, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near dam
Cite this Entry
“Dam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dam. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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