ISLANDS Synonyms: 10 Similar and Opposite Words

islands

noun

plural of island

as in isles

a fairly small area of land completely surrounded by water the island of Hawaii is the largest in the Hawaiian archipelago

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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 islands Rugged island Flores, located in the southeast of the Indonesian archipelago, is one of a handful of islands in the world’s most populous Muslim nation with a Christian majority, with 80% of its two million inhabitants identifying as Roman Catholic. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 22 Oct. 2026 The drills include amphibious landing, air and missile defense and mine sweeping, as well as intelligence gathering, logistics and resupply and casualty evacuation on several remote islands, including Tanegashima. — Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 The city said upcoming king tides have the potential to cause flooding along the Balboa Peninsula, islands in Newport Harbor and other areas. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 But the toll on wildlife since 2021 has been immense, including mass die-offs of sea lions in Peru and seal pups on Antarctic islands. — Kenny Torrella, Vox, 20 Oct. 2026 These include Chile, Alaska, Japan, Nepal, Canada, Norway’s Svalbard and Lofoten islands, Gotland in the Baltic Sea, and Lanzarote, Spain. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 Never mind that axis deer are an invasive species that can wreak havoc on the islands' native ecosystems. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Relief supplies were unlikely to reach the islands for three to five days, according to Saturday updates from FEMA. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 Are each of us, ultimately, all alone in the world, mere islands unto ourselves? — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for islands

Noun

Consider the Greek isles off-season or an accessible English quietcation.

— Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Their differences come to a head when Swiftie Kira plans to celebrate her birthday on Friday the 13th with a trip to the 13 isles of the Grenadines with her 13 best girlfriends and expects Ben to be present.

— Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of isles

Noun

Stockholm sits at the western edge of an archipelago containing more than 30,000 islands and islets.

— David Nikel, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
State media reports on Sunday said several tourism companies suspended their speedboat services between the islets after the deadly capsize.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Definition of islets

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island

islands

isle

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

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Synonyms of islands

noun

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