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
Zak Podmore, The Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2024
At a reservation near town, an exacting replica had been constructed of Fort Bridger, a trading outpost perched on a tributary of the Green River, in what today is southwest Wyoming.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 3 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
Along Glen Canyon’s tributaries, whole ecosystems have sprung back to life, biologically diverse and dominated by native species.
—Zak Podmore, The Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2024
At a reservation near town, an exacting replica had been constructed of Fort Bridger, a trading outpost perched on a tributary of the Green River, in what today is southwest Wyoming.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 3 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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Through a series of 31 interactive exhibits, visitors journey down the Fraser River to the headwaters of the Upper Colorado River Basin, where water is diverted across the Continental Divide into metro Denver.—
Gigi Ragland,
The Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2025
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Instead of reducing releases from the big reservoirs that the Lower Basin uses, the Upper Basin has to cut back according to what’s flowing down headwater streams.—
Brandon Loomis,
The Arizona Republic,
6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But all our doctrines are subordinate to the question of who Jesus is.—
Gordon Pennertz,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Annoyed by her subordinate role at Atelier (though she’s had the job for less than six months), Kriska boldly declares that Monica is self-centered.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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No record of post on Trump’s account Trump began his second presidential term with a flurry of executive orders, one of which rolled back DEI programs in all agencies in the executive branch.—
Joedy McCreary,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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The law was designed to guarantee their professional independence from the executive branch and protect them from removal at presidential whim.—
Linda Thompson Gonzalez,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This town moves slowly (except on the dance floor) and combines the best of Acadian influences, from Zydeco music and French cuisine to lakeside cabins and boat rides on the bayou.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2025
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From the outdoor patio you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery, twinkling string lights, and the gentle, slow-moving waters of the bayou.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This is the first evidence of prehistoric crocodilians in North America as opportunistic feeders, especially on giant pterosaurs.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
23 Jan. 2025
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With rosters limited at 105, has there been any consideration of using feeder programs where Nebraska sends its excess players?—
Mitch Sherman,
The Athletic,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Olympian Anna Hall joined her boyfriend in a complementary dress, styling an asymmetric number with a thigh-high slit in a bodycon silhouette.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
5 Feb. 2025
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This meant finding complementary approaches to color — Daphne (Javicia Leslie) is a little bit more monochromatic, while Selena (Judy Reyes) has an overall more neutral look with a strong pop of lip color, as befits a boss.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The document shows Patel drew income from an unusual range of sources — the Embassy of Qatar, Shein and a California company that rents out metal storage tanks.—
Brian Slodysko,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
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The enmity is partially driven by perception troubles, according to city, county and state sources.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Heat stress was listed as a contributory factor to her death.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American-Statesman,
31 July 2024
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The oil and gas companies can raise a contributory negligence defense on two fronts.—
Ed Hirs,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near tributary
Cite this Entry
“Tributary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tributary. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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