as in canyon
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
the cattle, once they were cornered in the defile, were quickly rounded up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
supplies of meat that had been defiled by maggots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to violate
to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect
art conservators were careful not to do anything that might defile the holy relic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of defile
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 July 2024
Amy Baker Harrison was indicted by a Stafford County grand jury on Monday for the first-degree murder of Jacqueline Lard, as well as abduction with the intent to defile, aggravated malicious wounding and breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Amanda Jackson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024
Radha Vatsal
june 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
When a young family member takes over the business, ethics go out the window as corpses are defiled, organs are sold, gold teeth are pulled, and people are maybe even murdered.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defile
Noun
One defiles realism, and the other refuses to let it out of its grip.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 July 2024
Amy Baker Harrison was indicted by a Stafford County grand jury on Monday for the first-degree murder of Jacqueline Lard, as well as abduction with the intent to defile, aggravated malicious wounding and breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Amanda Jackson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024
Verb
This is in contrast to most traditional Hindu narratives, in which the husband rejects a wife who has been ‘defiled’ by another man’s attentions.
—Radha Vatsal
june 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
When a young family member takes over the business, ethics go out the window as corpses are defiled, organs are sold, gold teeth are pulled, and people are maybe even murdered.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defile
Noun
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Still, Patino described a canyon between the preoccupations and paths of people like Bezos and Griffin and the people in attendance like himself.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The sheriff’s office's search and rescue team released images showing first responders lowering a basket into the canyon for the recovery of the victim.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If it’s harvested from an area that’s been polluted, there’s a possibility it could be contaminated with unsafe minerals like mercury or arsenic.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In contrast to polluting polyester, these fibers are biodegradable and will naturally decompose after disposal.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In August 2024, the Hales Corners Library Board voted unanimously to keep the books in the library's circulation and concluded Lewis-Lane and library staff did not violate library policies.—
Adrienne Davis,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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But Comey's attorneys raised separate concerns that by using those materials at all, the government may have violated Comey's rights -- not just by reviewing potentially privileged information, but also by revisiting evidence obtained by warrants that would now be considered stale.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The South is filled with natural wonders, from dramatic gorges and massive cave systems to beautiful wetlands and pristine beaches.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Further down the gorge of TikTok depravity, there are things like TCC, or the True Crime Community, an online subculture that’s been tied to actual school shootings.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Brit List script, which treads the line between black comedy and drama, is set in the early 20th Century Hungary where a village knitting club takes it upon themselves to poison their abusive husbands with arsenic.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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People who are rude or unaware with receptionists can poison your culture, create unnecessary hierarchies, and drive your best people to leave.—
Jessica Neal,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the world of Monster, a person who takes lives and desecrates corpses might someday be capable of redemption.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
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Trump’s order also directs administration officials to terminate or revoke visas if foreign nationals are found to have desecrated the flag.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The Rock Creek Loop traverses approximately seven miles of ravines, creeks, subtropical forest, and small footbridges.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Minimalist 11-foot-tall Styline windows frame picturesque views sweeping from the valley to the Vegas skyline and mountains beyond.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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Temperatures could end up 15 degrees below average for much of the Plains, Midwest and portions of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defile. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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