shoal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshōl How to pronounce shoal (audio)
Definition of shoalnext
as in shallow
lacking significant physical depth shoal waters of the bay meant that our ship had to be moored a considerable distance from shore

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shoal

2 of 2

noun

as in bank
a place where a body of water (as a sea or river) is shallow the shoals off Nantucket Island are famous as the final resting places of many ill-fated ships

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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 shoal
Noun
When Duterte refused, China began blocking Filipino fishermen from the shoal again. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 The Philippine military later said Chinese ships had used water cannon as well as dangerous navigational techniques to try to block an effort to resupply Philippine fishermen around the shoal. — Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the encounter occurred near the BRP Sierra Madre, the warship Manila grounded on the shoal almost 30 years ago to anchor its claim. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 July 2026 Proud papa Luke showed off Tate’s first shoal bass catch during their father-son fishing trip. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoal
  1. shallow
  2. bank
Adjective
  • The shallow grave kept the corpse concealed for nearly a week as the victim’s family frantically searched for her nearby.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The American Society of Anesthesiologists notes that uncontrolled postoperative pain can contribute to immobility and shallow breathing, which may increase the risk for complications including blood clots and pneumonia.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of shallow
Noun
  • The bank also said that while shares are up 67% this year, the stock still has plenty more room to run ahead of its next scheduled earnings in November.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Call your bank, retirement plan administrator, mobile carrier or insurance company using its official contact information.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of bank

Browse Nearby Words

shivs
shoal
shoals
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Cite this Entry

“Shoal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shoal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shoal

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