shoal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshōl How to pronounce shoal (audio)
Definition of shoalnext
as in shallow
lacking significant physical depth shoal waters of the bay meant that our ship had to be moored a considerable distance from shore

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shoal

2 of 2

noun

as in bank
a place where a body of water (as a sea or river) is shallow the shoals off Nantucket Island are famous as the final resting places of many ill-fated ships

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 shoal
Noun
When Duterte refused, China began blocking Filipino fishermen from the shoal again. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 The Philippine military later said Chinese ships had used water cannon as well as dangerous navigational techniques to try to block an effort to resupply Philippine fishermen around the shoal. — Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the encounter occurred near the BRP Sierra Madre, the warship Manila grounded on the shoal almost 30 years ago to anchor its claim. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 July 2026 Proud papa Luke showed off Tate’s first shoal bass catch during their father-son fishing trip. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoal
  1. shallow
  2. bank
Adjective
  • Depending on the route, manufacturers can add protective layers and steel-wire armoring to help the cable withstand demanding conditions, particularly in shallower waters where anchors and fishing equipment pose greater risks.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For all other beaches and harbors, shallow with minor to moderate sea- water flooding will likely impact beaches and walkways, especially with the Sunday morning high tide which could cause local damage to most vulnerable locations such as Venice.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of shallow
Noun
  • The bill had sought to sanction Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Last month, citing anonymous sources, Reuters reported that Solidigm was considering an initial public offering and had held pitch meetings with investment banks.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of bank

Browse Nearby Words

shivs
shoal
shoals
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoal. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on shoal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shoal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All