dock 1 of 3

noun

ˈdäk How to pronounce dock (audio)
Definition of docknext
as in wharf
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers the boat remained tied up at the dock for a week, waiting for the weather to clear

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dock

2 of 3

verb (1)

1
as in to shorten
to make less in extent or duration the editorial was docked by about a hundred words to make it fit on the page

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument the boxer's tail was docked soon after birth

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dock

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to land
to stop at or near a place along the shore the cruise ship docked at the first port of call early the next morning

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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 dock
Noun
There will always be a spotlight for the Hollywood contingent and the awards hopefuls posing on boats and docks in designer duds. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 San Juan is a major tourist spot for the island, with its nearby airport and cruise docks, but travelers might not feel the impact of the crisis. — Josh Rivera, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
A couple of miles south, things were much quieter (and pricier) at Grand Banks, a schooner turned oyster bar docked at Tribeca’s Pier 25, with views of the Statue of Liberty and the Freedom Tower. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 When it's docked and not in use, the rear camera stays in its space and works as if the gimbal isn't even there. — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dock
  1. wharf
  2. shorten
  3. shave
  4. land
  5. pier
  6. cut back
  7. cut
  8. anchor
Noun
  • But in 1820, Shippingport had about 600 residents, three wharves for steamboats, taverns and a flour mill.
    — Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The redevelopment would change that by extending and upgrading existing wharves and dredging areas around the docks.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of wharf
Verb
  • That could reduce development costs and shorten the path toward manufacturing.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The artist formerly known as Miley Cyrus appears to have changed her name, or just shortened it, to herald a new professional chapter.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of shorten
Verb
  • One of Goldman’s models suggests that Korea’s fast aging population could shave as much as 25 basis points from annual consumption growth over the next decade.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Luckily, Atlanta is home to a wider world of frozen desserts, from Indonesian shaved ice to Mexican popsicles.
    — Lia Picard - For the AJC, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Hrgović landed one, two, three hard right hands late in the round.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Song landed a powerful right uppercut in the second round, securing a significant victory that bolsters his bantamweight title contention, despite a recent loss to Sean O'Malley.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of land
Noun
  • The migrants retreated to a pier where they were guarded by police.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The bridge’s 22 piers were seismically retrofitted from the water upward in 2002, but the underwater infrastructure supporting the piers hasn’t been renovated or upgraded since the bridge opened to traffic in 1969.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pier
Verb
  • The episode cuts back and forth between John’s tense interview and his upbringing, revealing how John was conditioned to be fearless from a young age.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Analysis from Bank of America shows that Fed officials already appear to be adapting to Warsh's latest communication style by cutting back on public appearances.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut back
Verb
  • The threat of shortages pushed countries across Asia to impose export bans, cut import duties, and start rationing fuel to maintain supplies.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike the heavy smoky eyes and cut creases of the 2010s, this trend is throwing it back to the 1990s when smoky eyes were more minimalist.
    — Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • With oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz hobbled by war, China is betting on Egypt’s Suez Canal and diplomatic clout to anchor its wider push across the Arab and African worlds.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Perkins, for his part, spent the weeks up to the recall election touting his work securing historic preservation and development grants for Englewood Square, the arts district which anchors his council territory.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of anchor

Browse Nearby Words

docility
dock
docked
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Cite this Entry

“Dock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dock. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dock

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dock

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