DAM Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

dam 1 of 2

noun

ˈdam

Definition of dam

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

dam

2 of 2

verb

as in to block

to prevent passage through by filling with something ice floes were damming the river

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fill

to close up so that no empty spaces remain dam up the pipes

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

Noun

Products like inflatable dams, flood barriers that attach to doors more like dog gates or even good ol’ fashioned waterproofing tapes and foams are generally fine to install. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 In Uruguay, the Salto Grande hydroelectric dam, which the country shares with Argentina, has gradually opened its gates to relieve the rising Uruguay River, flooding parts of cities downstream. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

One theory is that the rock and ice briefly dammed the valley, allowing water to back up in the river. — Umesh Haritashya, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2026 Rescue efforts were still ramping up Friday when a swollen glacial lake in the mountains upstream from the affected area, dammed up by debris and filling with meltwater, raised concerns of a possible new inundation looming. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dam

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dam

Noun

As Reclamation District 108 leaves some fields dry, the goal will be to move a levee back so the river can spread out, restoring a natural floodplain, Bair said.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
In the winter of 2022-2023, several consecutive powerful storms led to a levee breach, which caused significant flooding along the Cosumnes River, killing three people.

— Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of levee

Verb

Building 1,600 stores at once Once the leases are signed, Spirit has to fill them.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Its magical forest is filled with talking animals, tree-worshipping mystics, scheming functionaries, and the Dowager Governess (Carey Mulligan), an enchantress who commands an army of uniformed coyotes.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fill

Noun

Sutter County Fire said the vehicle rolled about 10 feet down an embankment and caught fire with the driver trapped inside.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
The vehicle went into an embankment about a mile north of the East Kuna Mora Road interchange and overturned, according to police.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of embankment

Verb

The mollusks can form dense colonies that clog pipes, obstruct water flow and foul boat motors.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
During the investigation, it was alleged that Stewart, who is a resident, returned to the property and was later taken into custody for obstructing a peace officer.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstruct

Verb

Compton and Clark weave a folksy Celtic score, packed with thigh-slapping drinking songs, ethereal ballads and soaring earworms.

— Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Flight imposes strict weight limits, so birds pack enormous numbers of very small neurons into very small brains.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of pack

Verb

For much of the Gaza war, Israeli protesters flooded the streets demanding that Netanyahu strike a deal with Hamas to release Israeli hostages and end the fighting.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
The area has experienced unusually heavy rain since Wednesday that caused rivers to surge, flooding homes and forcing water rescues.

— Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of flood

Verb

As to authenticating that low odometer reading, Weaver assures that plugging a reader into its transmission revealed the exact mileage.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
Each console was tested in the device's performance mode while plugged directly into power, with the only difference being the resolution.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of plug

Browse Nearby Words

dallying

dam

damage

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Dam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dam. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dam

noun

verb

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