1
as in streams
a passageway for water
A fallen tree branch was floating down the river.
Related Words
Relevance
2
as in floods
an overwhelming flow or rush of something
Jet streams can be thought of as giant rivers of air that circulate around the globe. He was overwhelmed by the river of new information that the document dump provided.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 rivers
There are no roads, only rivers to cross, mud to navigate, and wildlife to avoid.
—
Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
The district monitors and sprays pesticides at breeding sites — including local rivers, streams and locations such as Morris Dam — and sets traps in foothill communities to track the population size and minimize the effects on residents.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Flooding events have affected 21 counties and at least two rivers have burst their banks since heavy rains started earlier this month.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Europe turned inward, with trade currents mostly running along navigable rivers.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Here's what else to know about the flood forecast for Wisconsin this spring, and how to check flooding chances for rivers near you.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Overall, according to the study, beavers are increasingly returning to rivers and other natural landscapes across Europe, following decades of collaborative conservation efforts.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
That alone would create a challenging year for water managers, who rely on slow and steady snowmelt to feed streams, rivers and reservoirs and meet spring and summer demand for irrigation and drinking water.
—Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
In Iraq, too, the bulk of food imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the country’s access to two major rivers.
—Eleni Giokos, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
The district monitors and sprays pesticides at breeding sites — including local rivers, streams and locations such as Morris Dam — and sets traps in foothill communities to track the population size and minimize the effects on residents.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Flooding events have affected 21 counties and at least two rivers have burst their banks since heavy rains started earlier this month.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Europe turned inward, with trade currents mostly running along navigable rivers.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Here's what else to know about the flood forecast for Wisconsin this spring, and how to check flooding chances for rivers near you.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Overall, according to the study, beavers are increasingly returning to rivers and other natural landscapes across Europe, following decades of collaborative conservation efforts.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
That alone would create a challenging year for water managers, who rely on slow and steady snowmelt to feed streams, rivers and reservoirs and meet spring and summer demand for irrigation and drinking water.
—Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
In Iraq, too, the bulk of food imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the country’s access to two major rivers.
—Eleni Giokos, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivers
Noun
-
The severe weather also left 147 homes either completely or partially destroyed, wiped out 80 kilometers of roads and destroyed agricultural land and irrigation canals, Hammad said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
First canals and then locks were devised to guide boats around the falls.—
Adam Sachs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The delays affected a range of disaster-response functions, including housing inspections, temporary sheltering and crisis counseling, and slowed the distribution of aid tied to major events such as the July 2025 Texas floods and Hurricane Helene.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Watch the video above to learn more about the intensifying battle for control of Arctic waterways.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Every chemical-free choice means fewer synthetic substances washing into local storm drains, waterways, and soil during the next rainstorm.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hot stones are added, one by one, as the air inside gets heavier, the heat searing the nose and the throat, the sweat starting in rivulets that turn into streams as the smell gets more intense, the heartbeat swells, the mind races.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The elaborate network of rainfall, rivulets of ditches, and control structures became a sort of language for Van Lent.—
Michael Adno,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, there are riparian natives — those that grow along watercourses — which may need regular attention in terms of water needs for many years after planting.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivers. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
