as in ditch
a deep, wide excavation that is usually filled with water and that goes around the walls of a place (such as a castle) to protect it from being attacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moat
To cross the moat and venture into its immense chambers, shadowed by a seriousness of purpose, is to experience a kind of awe, or at least the deepest respect for whoever erected and owns this stronghold.
—
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Smart founders use full coffers to build deep moats, ideally around monopolies, so that eventual product-market-fit is matched with defensibility.
—Ruth Foxe Blader, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Perhaps more importantly, each of these businesses possesses a wide economic moat.
—Michael K. Farr, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
Travel back in time at the Imperial Palace Surrounded by a cinematic moat and towering stone walls, Tokyo’s Imperial Palace is a sight to behold.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for moat
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Smart founders use full coffers to build deep moats, ideally around monopolies, so that eventual product-market-fit is matched with defensibility.
—Ruth Foxe Blader, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Perhaps more importantly, each of these businesses possesses a wide economic moat.
—Michael K. Farr, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
Travel back in time at the Imperial Palace Surrounded by a cinematic moat and towering stone walls, Tokyo’s Imperial Palace is a sight to behold.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for moat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moat
Noun
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Equip yourself with these guidelines from the NWS to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards: Beware of rapid water flow: Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2025
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In more rural areas, however, adaptation might require moving outdoor work hours to after sunset, when temperatures drop, or covering irrigation ditches to avoid excess evaporation that could leave crops parched during droughts.—
Alice Hill,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The company recommended rebuilding the road and sidewalk and adding better preventative measures, such as drainage trenches or pipes, to make sure surface water didn’t create more problems in the future.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Feb. 2025
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For days, workers with mechanical diggers have been preparing long trenches for burials.—
Natasha Frost,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This lack of collaboration is untenable in the current reality where the sea of fast-moving, stealth attackers threatens to overwhelm the dike entirely.—
Jonathan Fischbein,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
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There’s a classic Dutch folk story about a young boy who heroically plugged a small leak in a dike with a finger, preventing a catastrophic flood by holding back the water until help arrives.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The project will also replace an existing culvert with a more effective bridge and remove a fish barrier, and replace two separate antiquated park entry buildings with one functional park entry kiosk.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
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Her body was later found in a culvert along a gravel road, just miles from property owned by Fravel's parents.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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There’s one last ha-ha to be had: Jankie is revived and the cast participates in one last Jankie singalong!—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
13 Oct. 2024
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Photo: Courtesy of Unique Homestays Inside, sash windows overlook the lawn, down to the ha-ha and the curving Dart beyond, which is tidal and offers a constantly changing view.—
Jo Rodgers,
Vogue,
3 May 2024
Noun
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The Gorge is monitored by two snipers on annual rotations, each stationed on opposite sides of the ravine.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2025
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These structures dot a ravine that functioned as a natural route between the nearby coast and other inland settlements, archaeologists said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Nesting materials clog up gutters and drainpipes and lead to water or mold damage. Pests and diseases.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2025
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The state pays for a roadway 18-feet wide, not including curbs and gutters.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to moat
Cite this Entry
“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moat. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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