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
The lot has a pool and spa, a covered patio, an outdoor kitchen, and a private dock with a lift and a separate floating dock for smaller craft. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 14 Oct. 2026 So, Mechanism includes a dock adapter that takes a different approach — not necessarily better or worse — than Dbrand did with its Killswitch. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
Prosecutors say workers were paid less than $2 an hour, were illegally docked money for housing and denied overtime for working up to 10 hours a day, six days a week. — Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Some crew members have to remain aboard for hours after docking to help move stuff off. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 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
  • Their transatlantic journey is slated to begin in Portsmouth, but once there Håkan loses sight of his brother in the crowds along the wharf.
    — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of wharf
Verb
  • Their average life span is about 8,000 hours, but turning them on and off frequently shortens this time frame.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Operationally, Geraghty is prioritizing domestic production to shorten lead times.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of shorten
Verb
  • Especially right now, since Amazon just shaved 25% off for the Prime Day afterparty.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Apparently, Tony Romo shaved two strokes off his final round scorecard.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Just as notably, One Roof Sports — the group spearheading the Sonics' return — recently landed a billionaire backer in Melinda French Gates.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But Angelenos’ ire has been especially directed at electricity bills as the extra A/C needed during triple-digit heat waves landed people in the utility’s higher-cost tiers, which also have been rising.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of land
Noun
  • The idea was to create a pier-to-pier connection for the highway, with Santa Monica Pier right outside of Los Angeles serving as the other terminus.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Constructed at a cost to the US taxpayer of $300 million, the pier was retired after operating poorly and sporadically for just twenty days.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of pier
Verb
  • On a read-option play, Colandrea kept the ball, picked up the first down, cut back upfield and turned the corner for Nebraska's second touchdown of the game, extending its lead to 17-6.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • When the film next cuts back to this room, Sri explains that this is the root of her decision to leave and work in Saudi Arabia.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of cut back
Verb
  • Sullivan denied that the law would cut Medicaid for Alaskans, saying the Affordable Care Act had a greater impact and raised insurance premiums in the state drastically.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The new version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been cut from a five-hour show performed across two parts to a single three-hour performance as it is performed on Broadway.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • The six-university research collaboration, anchored at Stanford, studies elite athletes to improve health for everyone.
    — James LaForge, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Functioning with dream-like logic, this notion of memory anchored the narrative but also let Tierney move through years with speed and clarity.
    — Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dock

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dock

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