1
as in ports
a part of a body of water protected and deep enough to be a place of safety for ships
the tanker stayed in Boston harbor three days to undergo repairs
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2
as in shelters
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
seeking a harbor from the drenching rain, we unfortunately chose a bank where a robbery was taking place
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in has
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in houses
to provide with living quarters or shelter
the woods in our suburb harbor deer, foxes, raccoons, and skunks
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3
as in protects
to be or provide a shelter for
the little cabin is harbored from the wind by a thick growth of pines
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harbors
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
In virtually all harbors, deepening to 40 to 50 feet instead costs hundreds of millions of dollars.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
And the rare earth elements clustered in southern Greenland, an ice-free area with access to roads, harbors and other crucial infrastructure, are of greater interest to mining companies.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
The institutions their parents rely on look less like safe harbors and more like obstacles.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Soon, many harbors in Greenland may become too shallow for ship traffic.
—Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Just as with dumps on land, all kinds of waste was being disposed of in rivers, lakes and harbors.
—James Salzman, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
Known as the City of Sails, Auckland’s life centers on its two harbors.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent rains mean water levels in harbors are already higher, and there’s a chance of overspill during early-morning hours that could make a mess of Pacific Coast Highway in low-lying areas such as Sunset Beach.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 31 Dec. 2025
Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Chicago’s restaurant industry harbors a few colorful characters, and their dealings aren’t always pretty.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for keeping the channel safe for navigation into and out of the side-by-side Oceanside and Camp Pendleton harbors.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Europa harbors a deep ocean beneath a shell of ice that's dozens of kilometers thick.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Every night, the boat docks, and the guests, each of whom harbors a dirty secret, are sent into a different port city to solve a puzzle, using clues that borrow elements of Sondheim’s treasure hunts.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
That’s fine by C, who harbors little feeling for our bumbling man anyway.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Unbeknownst to Sydney, Clara harbors a life-altering secret.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2025
But the desert harbors infinite quick tricks, and as the terrain dried while the temperature soared, weeks of cumulative fatigue set in.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Noun
That moved a number of boaters to bolt to other harbors, including Waukegan, where one official said the Waukegan Port District marina was gaining slip holders with North Point in flux.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
In virtually all harbors, deepening to 40 to 50 feet instead costs hundreds of millions of dollars.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
And the rare earth elements clustered in southern Greenland, an ice-free area with access to roads, harbors and other crucial infrastructure, are of greater interest to mining companies.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
The institutions their parents rely on look less like safe harbors and more like obstacles.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Soon, many harbors in Greenland may become too shallow for ship traffic.
—Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Just as with dumps on land, all kinds of waste was being disposed of in rivers, lakes and harbors.
—James Salzman, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
Known as the City of Sails, Auckland’s life centers on its two harbors.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent rains mean water levels in harbors are already higher, and there’s a chance of overspill during early-morning hours that could make a mess of Pacific Coast Highway in low-lying areas such as Sunset Beach.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
The sublimely minimalist and peaceful gallery, La Laiterie, harbors an Yves Klein.
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Chicago’s restaurant industry harbors a few colorful characters, and their dealings aren’t always pretty.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for keeping the channel safe for navigation into and out of the side-by-side Oceanside and Camp Pendleton harbors.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Europa harbors a deep ocean beneath a shell of ice that's dozens of kilometers thick.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Every night, the boat docks, and the guests, each of whom harbors a dirty secret, are sent into a different port city to solve a puzzle, using clues that borrow elements of Sondheim’s treasure hunts.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
That’s fine by C, who harbors little feeling for our bumbling man anyway.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Unbeknownst to Sydney, Clara harbors a life-altering secret.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2025
But the desert harbors infinite quick tricks, and as the terrain dried while the temperature soared, weeks of cumulative fatigue set in.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbors
Noun
-
The formation of Bharat is part of India’s larger ambitions to become a maritime powerhouse, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government committing a $1 trillion investment into the country’s ports and shipbuilding efforts.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Food can clog ports in the burner head and block flames from emerging.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Donate functional toys no longer played with to shelters, thrift stores, daycares, or other local organizations in need.—
Kaylei Fear,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
-
With a capacity of 30 beds across the overnight shelters, Interfaith was forced to turn some people away due to capacity limits.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Known for combining high fashion with streetwear, Bad Bunny has a reputation for adventurous and subversive style.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Our running live blog has a good summary of the affair, including celebrity endorsements and reflections on the performance.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Most winters, the firm houses more than 5,000 boats and marine pleasure craft.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
That’s a massive problem, because a detention center that’s open 24 hours a day and houses enough humans to populate a small city will put a far greater strain on public resources than any warehouse could.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the slow drip of revelations has reinforced a perception that power protects itself and that ordinary citizens live under a different standard.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The texture-smoothing formula also includes cupuaçu butter—another moisture-locking workhorse—as well as caffeine, which helps boost collagen production, reduces puffiness, and protects skin from environmental damage.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Sailing aboard a small ship with just 36 passengers, the voyage moves between islands and along remote coastlines, accessing sea caves, marine sanctuaries, and quiet anchorages that large cruise ships simply cannot reach.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Dec. 2025
-
The beach clubs and anchorages rival those of the western Mediterranean—but without the same summer crush of crowds.—
Geoffrey Ravoire,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Nearby barrier islands like Sanibel, Cabbage Key, and Captiva add to the appeal, with scenic bike paths, wildlife refuges, and smaller communities that feel residential rather than resort-driven.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Another priority was to create little refuges for herself.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Malinin holds just more than a five-point lead over his biggest rival, Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, with scores from both the short program and free skate added together to determine a winner.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
According to chief customer officer Brie Carere, FedEx currently holds a 12 percent share in the $22 billion premium air freight market.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harbors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harbors. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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