1
as in port
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 refuge
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 to have
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 to house
to provide with living quarters or shelter
the woods in our suburb harbor deer, foxes, raccoons, and skunks
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 harbor
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
On the ground floor of Hotel de Toiras, with expansive windows overlooking the harbor, Le George’s has a relaxed air that belies the seriousness of its cuisine.
—
Caitlin Gunther,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 June 2026
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
The compromise of 1850 had made harboring fugitive slaves a crime under federal law, even if, even in those states that had abolished slavery.
—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harbor
Noun
Your answer regarding the Form 2220 safe harbor is correct and would apply if the taxpayer’s income were retirement fund distributions.
—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
On the ground floor of Hotel de Toiras, with expansive windows overlooking the harbor, Le George’s has a relaxed air that belies the seriousness of its cuisine.
—
Caitlin Gunther,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 June 2026
Verb
The Louisiana senator may harbor a grievance with the president who sabotaged him and cost him his seat.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
The compromise of 1850 had made harboring fugitive slaves a crime under federal law, even if, even in those states that had abolished slavery.
—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harbor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbor
Noun
-
Situated in a bustling port city with strong transpacific trade networks, Chinese cooks had access to familiar ingredients and prepared comforting dishes for their own communities.
-
The 10th edition is the first 10-year-old release (and the oldest to date), made from a mash bill of several different types of barley and matured in wine, port, sherry, and ex-bourbon casks, along with the Garry oak.
Noun
-
The tree is said to have sheltered Robin Hood, the legendary 13th-century bandit who stole from the rich and gave to the poor and took refuge in the forest when being pursued by the sheriff of Nottingham.
-
But Germany, too, denied his request for refuge.
Verb
-
Mbappé, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in France's 3-1 tournament-opening victory against Senegal.
-
During a childhood fight, Aemond had his eye cut out by Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys and stole her family’s ferocious, powerful red dragon Vhagar.
Verb
-
About 150 miles from SoFi Stadium, south of the Mexican border, sits the hotel housing Iran’s World Cup team for its games at the Inglewood venue.
-
This space houses a stone alcove bed, additional sleeping space, a generous kitchen, and a beautiful bathroom of stone and cocciopesto.
Verb
-
Restaurants and bars in the neighborhood are reporting drastic drops in business after thousands of Angelenos sheltered in place under a constant plume of smoke.
-
Duque urged residents to shelter and aid at public plazas due to the possibility of aftershocks.
Noun
-
Routes spanning the Seychelles, Tanzania and Madagascar remain comparatively underserved, particularly for small expedition vessels capable of accessing remote anchorages and outer islands.
-
Faced with an impassable strait, carriers did not hold vessels in indefinite anchorage.
Noun
-
The islands are wildlife sanctuaries.
-
The sanctuary, located near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, cares for a colony of African vervet monkeys descended from animals linked to a roadside zoo and research facility that operated decades ago.
Verb
-
Those arrested for criminal conduct must be held accountable in our court system.
-
The toys clanked, the players held their breath and onlookers whispered strategies on the sidelines – until a winner was crowned.
Cite this Entry
“Harbor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harbor. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
