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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of harbors
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Each has its own distinct character—from postcard-perfect villages and bustling harbors to windswept dunes, freshwater ponds, and some of New England’s most spectacular beaches.
—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
27 June 2026
And of course, the park has the requisite harbors, beaches, basketball, pickleball/tennis courts, ball fields and an 18-hole golf course/driving range.
—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
Other major efforts stretch along rivers and harbors in places throughout the Great Lakes.
—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Pete’s Restaurant & Brewhouse One of the mainstays harbors of the Howe ‘Bout Arden shopping center, Pete’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, temporarily closed in May.
—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
The jetties at the entrance shared by the two harbors block the ocean’s longshore currents that carry sand along the coast, causing wide beaches north of the harbor and narrow ones south of it.
—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
From the train windows, expect to spot the aquamarine waves of Ligurian Sea crashing against the stony coast, candy-colored houses huddled together on the hillsides, tiny wooden boats gliding through village harbors, and flecks of golden-sand beaches.
—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
Third, scale obligations with impact, autonomy, and exposure — and include safe harbors for good-faith monitoring, incident disclosure, and rapid remediation.
—
Ion Stoica,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
Gabe Joselow,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Like any village worth its weight in cobblestones, quirky characters, and quaint pubs, Three Pines’ titular Quebec town harbors its share of dark secrets.
—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
Pritzker, who’s running for a third term as governor and harbors presidential aspirations, likes to claim substantial economic development wins during his eight years in Springfield.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Abby’s personal assistant, Monica, offers to be a pregnancy surrogate, but harbors dark secrets of which Abby, who has previously struggled to be a mother, is unaware.
—
Laura Payne,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
But Pedro Morelli harbors a special hope that this year’s Brazilian side – which like the 1970 team is not expected to win – watches and draws inspiration.
—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
27 May 2026
The Boroughs is about a retirement community in New Mexico that seems very pleasant and Utopian on the surface but, like all Utopian places, harbors a sinister secret.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
That is because this Jovian moon is thought to host a global subsurface ocean that possibly harbors some of the essential elements for life under its thick and icy shell, including complex organic chemicals and water.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
22 May 2026
But Winifred also harbors a violent past and dark impulses, and a series of brutal happenings soon overtake the mansion.
—
William Earl,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Noun
Taken together, these actions suggest the IRS is becoming progressively less willing to offer administrative safe harbors for offshore compliance.
—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Each has its own distinct character—from postcard-perfect villages and bustling harbors to windswept dunes, freshwater ponds, and some of New England’s most spectacular beaches.
—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
27 June 2026
And of course, the park has the requisite harbors, beaches, basketball, pickleball/tennis courts, ball fields and an 18-hole golf course/driving range.
—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
Other major efforts stretch along rivers and harbors in places throughout the Great Lakes.
—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Pete’s Restaurant & Brewhouse One of the mainstays harbors of the Howe ‘Bout Arden shopping center, Pete’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, temporarily closed in May.
—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
The jetties at the entrance shared by the two harbors block the ocean’s longshore currents that carry sand along the coast, causing wide beaches north of the harbor and narrow ones south of it.
—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
From the train windows, expect to spot the aquamarine waves of Ligurian Sea crashing against the stony coast, candy-colored houses huddled together on the hillsides, tiny wooden boats gliding through village harbors, and flecks of golden-sand beaches.
—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
Third, scale obligations with impact, autonomy, and exposure — and include safe harbors for good-faith monitoring, incident disclosure, and rapid remediation.
—
Ion Stoica,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
Verb
The Temple Mount movement — a loose coalition of Israeli religious and nationalist organizations — harbors a potentially explosive mix of prophecy and politics that aims to upend some 1,300 years of Muslim control over the third-holiest site in Islam and the holiest one for Jews.
—
Gabe Joselow,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Like any village worth its weight in cobblestones, quirky characters, and quaint pubs, Three Pines’ titular Quebec town harbors its share of dark secrets.
—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
Pritzker, who’s running for a third term as governor and harbors presidential aspirations, likes to claim substantial economic development wins during his eight years in Springfield.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Abby’s personal assistant, Monica, offers to be a pregnancy surrogate, but harbors dark secrets of which Abby, who has previously struggled to be a mother, is unaware.
—
Laura Payne,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
But Pedro Morelli harbors a special hope that this year’s Brazilian side – which like the 1970 team is not expected to win – watches and draws inspiration.
—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
27 May 2026
The Boroughs is about a retirement community in New Mexico that seems very pleasant and Utopian on the surface but, like all Utopian places, harbors a sinister secret.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
That is because this Jovian moon is thought to host a global subsurface ocean that possibly harbors some of the essential elements for life under its thick and icy shell, including complex organic chemicals and water.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
22 May 2026
But Winifred also harbors a violent past and dark impulses, and a series of brutal happenings soon overtake the mansion.
—
William Earl,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbors
Noun
-
Ukraine, meantime, has also recently ramped up missile and drone attacks against key infrastructure deep inside Russian territory, including oil refineries, ports and military factories.
-
When a squirrel climbs atop its roof or perches, the feeder registers its heavier weight and automatically closes its four ports.
Noun
-
The city has opened two dozen splash pads and eight cooling shelters across the city.
-
A week after Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, doctors warn untreated wounds, filthy shelters and scarce supplies are fueling a looming wave of infections that could claim more lives.
Verb
-
Just like white vinegar, lemon juice has an acidity that can get rid of dullness affecting your whites.
-
Miami has 12 roster spots filled and will add two or three other players on value deals.
Verb
-
The property also houses its own private theater, wine cellar, tasting room, game room, poker room and fitness center.
-
Even with a modest rebound after the pandemic, the BOP today houses roughly 154,000 inmates, nearly 30 percent fewer than at its 2013 peak.
Verb
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The roof’s steep metal surface not only protects the home from cold winds, but creates enough height for an additional sleeping loft.
-
Colorado currently protects the right of transgender student-athletes to compete on school and collegiate sports teams that align with their gender identity.
Noun
-
Oranje Bay, on the western side of the island, offered one of the deepest and safest nearshore anchorages in the Americas.
-
One of the VLCCs openly signaled its location in one of the anchorages in the Gulf of Oman a few days ago.
Noun
-
Under a 99-year agreement renegotiated in 2020, the property is owned by the Army but managed as one of the nation’s 573 national wildlife refuges managed by USFWS.
-
The Family Fun Adventure Package includes ziplining, exploring wildlife refuges, beaches, and waterfalls, as well as S'mores at the firepit, and salsa lessons.
Verb
-
The self-image of a predominantly Anglo civilization on the far side of the world—a distant, lucky country insulated from global conflict—no longer holds.
-
Each carafe holds 35 ounces and features a narrow neck for easier pouring.
Cite this Entry
“Harbors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harbors. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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