as in headwater
a stream that flows into a larger body of water
the Amazon and its more than 1,000 known tributaries form the world's largest drainage basin
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in subordinate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tributary
Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025
Several tributaries have completely dried up, Emergency Manager with UNICEF Antonio Marro told CBS News.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Catherine Porter, New York Times, 6 June 2023
This was a tributary version of the break-up and floe of ice that historically has happened in all the Great Lakes.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for tributary
Noun
As much as one ton of arsenic is estimated to leach into tributaries of the Salmon River each year from the old mine tailings, and the fish for which the river is named have been blocked from more than 20 miles of habitat above the mine for generations.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025
Several tributaries have completely dried up, Emergency Manager with UNICEF Antonio Marro told CBS News.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The edges of the country roads are decorated by tributary statues and banners flashing the faces of Allied soldiers who died in the fight.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 6 June 2023
This was a tributary version of the break-up and floe of ice that historically has happened in all the Great Lakes.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for tributary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tributary
Noun
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The historic flow of the Colorado River extended from the headwaters in Colorado to the Gulf of California in the Mexican state of Sonora — but that flow now tapers near the border.—
Sharon Udasin,
The Hill,
24 Mar. 2025
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These projects manage most of the major reservoirs on the western side of the Sierra Nevada range, from the headwaters of the San Joaquin River to Shasta on the Sacramento River in the state’s far north.—
Tom Philp,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In China, for example, the constitution states that everything in the governmental system, including the courts, is subordinate to the leadership of the Communist Party.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
25 Mar. 2025
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The email was addressed to all subordinate commanders, and the subject line read in all capital letters: URGENT SAFETY OF FLIGHT ISSUE.—
Greg Wehner,
Fox News,
15 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Successful adaptation to political changes in America lies in the symbiotic relationship between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Advertisement Musk, the Tesla chief who purchased Twitter and has vowed to populate Mars, has been a colossal distraction and a magnet for controversy from what should be a unified Republican team in control of the House, the Senate, and the executive branch.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Instead of a briar patch, guests are now taken through the Louisiana bayou, to help Louis the alligator find a band to play during a big Mardi Gras celebration thrown by Tiana — which is shown in all its glory at the very end of the attraction.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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Couple that singular premise with an in-game soundtrack worthy of its bayou roots, a team of actors led by Star Wars’ Ahmed Best, and South of Midnight is like nothing the industry has seen before.—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
7 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Hummingbird feeder: on sale for $19.19 (52% off) Original price: $39.99 Bring some wildlife to your patio by adding a hummingbird feeder.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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The feeder itself has several waterproof features in place to ensure that the camera is protected at all times, no matter the weather.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The model wore a rigid cotton denim with a jacquard-weave pattern top and complementary jeans for his attire to the red carpet event.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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These homes, including the sprawling $22 million penthouse, have been designed in a complementary style, with natural stone finishes in the bathrooms and Calacatta countertops in the kitchens.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Constructed from Alexander Graham Bell’s simple tetrahedron cell, the Cygnet model consists of two equilateral paper triangles, connected and illuminated by a hidden light source.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Legendary is eyeing a 2026 production start, another source adds.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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It was later determined that the French Connection star died around Feb. 17 from heart disease with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor, while Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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Alzheimer’s disease was a significant contributory factor in Hackman’s death.—
Evan Bush,
NBC News,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tributary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributary. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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