1
as in having
to keep in one's mind or heart
he had long harbored a grudge against his old employer, who had high-handedly fired him without cause
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accommodating
to provide with living quarters or shelter
the woods in our suburb harbor deer, foxes, raccoons, and skunks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sheltering
to be or provide a shelter for
the little cabin is harbored from the wind by a thick growth of pines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harboring
Islamabad was isolated by Washington following its role harboring Osama bin Laden, but Pakistan is now out of the wilderness.
—
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The strait is a significant trade artery for oil, harboring roughly 20 percent of the world’s supply of oil and natural gas.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
Christopher Kosakowski, United States, 2025 A circus clown celebrating his birthday alone receives a mysterious gift box harboring an antique zoetrope that spins his world into mayhem.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring the Pakistani Taliban, which Islamabad says carries out attacks inside Pakistan; Kabul denies the allegation.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Kabul denies harboring militant groups.
—Munir Ahmed, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers of harboring militant groups, particularly the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban, which stage attacks inside Pakistan.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Republicans and others have criticized Pritzker for running for re-election while harboring presidential ambitions that may well have him less than fully focused on Illinois’ needs during a third term.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The strait is a significant trade artery for oil, harboring roughly 20 percent of the world’s supply of oil and natural gas.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
Christopher Kosakowski, United States, 2025 A circus clown celebrating his birthday alone receives a mysterious gift box harboring an antique zoetrope that spins his world into mayhem.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring the Pakistani Taliban, which Islamabad says carries out attacks inside Pakistan; Kabul denies the allegation.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Kabul denies harboring militant groups.
—Munir Ahmed, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers of harboring militant groups, particularly the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban, which stage attacks inside Pakistan.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Republicans and others have criticized Pritzker for running for re-election while harboring presidential ambitions that may well have him less than fully focused on Illinois’ needs during a third term.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harboring
Verb
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Parents love having an easy, reusable activity for restaurants, travel days, sleepovers or quiet time at home.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Blue Owl, which is unique in having two of these nontraded private credit funds, is also among the last to report redemptions.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rainbow Trout Ranch Antonito, Colorado Surrounded by 600 acres of national forest, Colorado's Rainbow Trout Ranch has 16 cozy log cabins with fireplaces, accommodating one to eight guests.—
Julie Bielenberg,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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Fear is definitely on board with accommodating Matykiewicz’s busy schedule.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Gerth survived with her family and friends by sheltering in the basement.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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More than 135,000 people are sheltering in over 660 collective sites, while essential services—water, sanitation, and schooling—are being severely disrupted.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Surveillance footage showed Angel-Martinez, Castillo and Pineda getting out of their vehicle wearing masks and holding guns, according to court documents.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
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The Huskies were also dominated on the glass, with South Carolina holding a 47-32 advantage.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The center also housing a ticketing office, concessions area, blue box theater and dressing rooms.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
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That's where 24 buildings housing the equipment would be built on what is currently farm land.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, brain activity is a crucial element in protecting against that damage.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
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Reducing and monitoring traffic, specifically in residential and walkable areas, is a vital step in protecting locals, Cuthell said.—
Madison Beveridge,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There’s excellent boutique shopping, a diverse range of cuisines to sample, and lodging options suitable for any size or type of travel group.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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There is also plenty of lodging in the neighboring tourist town of Hot Springs.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For years, state regulators had asked the Sheriff’s Office to stop triple-bunking people, a practice the department acknowledged was dangerous.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harboring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harboring. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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