as in cliff
a steep wall of rock, earth, or ice
the castle sits atop an escarpment that for hundreds of years made it virtually invulnerable to attack
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 escarpment
The national park promises epic escarpments, striking rock formations, and breathtaking bush walks less than an hour west of Sydney by car.
—
Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2024
The rim is a 1,200-foot-tall escarpment that rises dramatically above a broad valley, giving you the perfect perch for spotting the show.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 3 Mar. 2025
During that time, the rover traveled about 1.2 miles along escarpments researchers believe were once part of an ocean shore 4 billion years ago.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2025
Off the water, an easy 1.25-mile hike leads to one of the overlooks at Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River takes a drastic turn around a massive sandstone escarpment.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escarpment
Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2024
The rim is a 1,200-foot-tall escarpment that rises dramatically above a broad valley, giving you the perfect perch for spotting the show.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 3 Mar. 2025
During that time, the rover traveled about 1.2 miles along escarpments researchers believe were once part of an ocean shore 4 billion years ago.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2025
Off the water, an easy 1.25-mile hike leads to one of the overlooks at Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River takes a drastic turn around a massive sandstone escarpment.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escarpment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escarpment
Noun
-
Researchers uncovered the tomb at the mountain, at the base of a high desert cliff where strong winds carry gusts of sand.—
Alan Yuhas,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The burial chamber was uncovered at the base of a desert cliff almost 23 feet beneath Abydos, one of Egypt’s oldest cities about 300 miles south of Cairo and roughly six miles from the Nile River.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Slice and Dice is a 5.12 in Indian Creek on the Way Rambo crag.—
Maya Silver,
Outside Online,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Mount Lemmon, the tallest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains, is a premier climbing destination with more than 2,700 routes ranging from beginner-friendly crags to expert-level ascents.—
Visit Tucson,
AFAR Media,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But what are the other buildings impacted by palisades fires?—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
13 Jan. 2025
-
The other, though crucial, faces steep palisades and deep waters, requiring more time and resources.—
Kathleen Kewley,
Forbes,
4 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Europe would have to hope that Russia would not call its bluff by seizing European territory with conventional forces and nuclear threats, either for the sake of Putin’s expansionist ambitions or to attempt to shatter the NATO alliance once and for all.—
Mark S. Bell,
Foreign Affairs,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Now Trump is left flailing as China calls his bluff and America’s allies look on with a mix of dismay and horror.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escarpment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escarpment. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share