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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as in subordinate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tributary
Alex Cuadros, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
Nearby, some of their fellow travelers had already perished in the sparkling tributary, their lifeless bodies cast aside to make way for the next wave of salmon.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 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
More than 1,000 tributaries collect rain and glacial runoff from a basin nearly the size of the contiguous United States.
—Alex Cuadros, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
Nearby, some of their fellow travelers had already perished in the sparkling tributary, their lifeless bodies cast aside to make way for the next wave of salmon.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 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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At the base of the South Cumberland Plateau, near the headwaters of the Elk River, this is some lush territory.—
Colleen Creamer,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
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The city paid $750,000. 1 of 2 Since the flood, the water district was ordered by federal regulators to drain Anderson Reservoir, the largest in the county, which sits near the headwaters of Coyote Creek, and rebuild its 240-foot-high earthen dam.—
Paul Rogers,
The Mercury News,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Trump's recent rhetoric and aggressive tariff policies have revived concerns that his administration sees Canada as a subordinate economic partner rather than a sovereign ally.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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The president is required by Article II Section 3 to enforce orders of the Supreme Court or subordinate federal tribunals.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the nonprofit Brennan Center for Justice, said the Trump administration's potential use of state secrets privilege could revive a decades-old conflict about the judicial branch's role in national security issues.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2025
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How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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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When to put out your feeders & how to feed March 13, 2025 5:30 AM Read Next Local Longer days are coming.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2025
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State troopers will be increasing patrols and checkpoints on major roadways and feeder streets from March 14 to March 16, according to a CSP press release.—
Sofia Joucovsky,
The Denver Post,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Expand your offerings by adding complementary products, services, or digital options.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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It would be believed that Hunt and Pacheco will compete for the starting role, but both served as complementary rotational pieces in 2024.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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During the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests, its Chinese-language radio broadcasts became a critical source of uncensored information for the Chinese people.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
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The source added that the duo were accompanied by director Doug Liman, but the specifics of the project are still under wraps.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 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 24 Mar. 2025.
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