1
as in bay
a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline
we dipped our feet in the warm waters of the gulf
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2
as in abyss
an immeasurable depth or space
the gulf of understanding between the two men was too wide for them to ever get along
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3
as in canyon
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
the gulf was too wide to cross, so we had to hike down into it and go through it
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4
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
a wide gulf in the defensive wall meant the city was in grave danger
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5
as in vortex
water moving rapidly in a circle with a hollow in the center
the doomed ship was sucked into the gulf and consigned to Davy Jones's locker
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as in to flood
to cover with a flood
with the administration gulfed by so many real problems, it's absurd for the president to concern himself with this nonissue
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gulf
Julia Mueller, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Experts on Indigenous genetics said the deal was a positive step for a field that has been plagued by accusations of exploitation and a gulf of mistrust.
—Brendan Borrell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Ferris Jabr, Smithsonian, 8 Jan. 2018
See all Example Sentences for gulf 
Noun
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pushed back when Trump initially raised the gulf issue, noting the body of water has been internationally recognized as the Gulf of Mexico, and adding that North America was historically marked on maps as Mexican America.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Experts on Indigenous genetics said the deal was a positive step for a field that has been plagued by accusations of exploitation and a gulf of mistrust.
—Brendan Borrell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
So many gulfs separate us now: geographical, anatomical, psychological.
—Ferris Jabr, Smithsonian, 8 Jan. 2018
See all Example Sentences for gulf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gulf
Noun
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Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay, this gem of a state park features hiking and biking trails, as well as four primitive camping areas—two on the ocean side and two on the bay side.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
2 Feb. 2025
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Sites on the mainland with bay views are third in the pecking order.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But as anybody working as a music creator knows, creating the music is only the start in a series of dancing monkey chores to make sure my work doesn’t disappear into the abyss.—
Kay Hanley,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
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With the death of our local paper, where will local citizens get the information needed to keep us from a dark abyss where lies become truth and truth becomes lies?—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In Pacific Palisades, already less isolated after the extension of Sunset Boulevard and the 1937 opening of Pacific Coast Highway, single-family homes ventured farther up the canyons.—
Jenny Jarvie,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
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The mudslide sloshed into the canyon early Jan. 27, forcing the closure of SR-27.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA TODAY,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Given her memory gap and pending ongoing observation/evaluation, Amy has been stripped of her lab coat and forced back into scrubs.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
3 Feb. 2025
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More from Personal Finance: This should be your ‘last resort’ to cover an emergency expense Your tax return could be ‘flagged for audit’ without these forms Changes Americans would make to close social security’s financial gap Renters are also earning more, giving them more buying power.—
Ana Teresa Solá,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The polar vortex, a whirlpool of Arctic air typically perched atop the North Pole, dislodged and descended into the Midwest causing the bitter cold.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
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As happened earlier this month, this latest cold snap came from a disruption in the polar vortex, the ring of cold air usually trapped around the North Pole.—
Lorraine Mirabella,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Virgen Viera was scanning her phone for updates about the crash when photos and videos began flooding social media.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
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The massive hole in the house left the basement flooded and destroyed.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The estuary also helps prevent coastal erosion and absorb the effects of sea level rise.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2025
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The Delta is the largest estuary on the West Coast, one that is incredibly sensitive environmentally and politically.—
Heather Knight,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Over 1,300 buoys across oceans around the world measure water temperature, wind and wave height – all of which are essential for coastal warnings, as well as long-term forecasts.—
Christine Wiedinmyer,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2025
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According to the tsunami warning, sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents could pose a threat along coasts, beaches, in harbors and in coastal waters.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA TODAY,
9 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near gulf
Cite this Entry
“Gulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gulf. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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