as in ravines
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 pollutes
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 violates
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiles
Noun
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Michael Anderson, executive director of the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, said with results from Senjem in hand, landowners will be able to take action to stop sediment from ravines on their properties.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
14 Oct. 2025 -
Every year in the early fall, along the riverbanks and ravines of the Southeast coast, pawpaws begin to show up in the understory.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But to isolate gold, galamsey workers typically use poisonous mercury, which pollutes drinking water and farmland and has been linked to serious illness and birth defects.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
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Debris pollutes waterways, cooking fires may spread, and the District Attorney’s Office has repeatedly documented how homeless residents are more likely to be victims of crime.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Their lawyers argue that the removal of the books violates federal and state free speech protections.—
Ann Schimke,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
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The program violates not only the First Amendment but also the Administrative Procedure Act, a federal law about how agencies are allowed to operate, the lawsuit argues.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Flash flooding will be particular concern in burn scars, slot canyons and urban areas, according to the weather service.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
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That means the night skies in and around Capitol Reef are especially protected from star-obscuring light, so this playground of cliffs, arches, and canyons has some of the best stargazing in the country.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Apart from the gorges and cliffs, the area features beautiful waterfalls and rock shelters.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
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The Gates of Lodore trip, as it’s known, will cover 44 miles through three dramatic gorges—Lodore, Whirlpool, and Split Mountain—and two dozen mostly mild rapids in this remote, geologic wonderland along the Colorado-Utah border.—
John Briley,
Outside,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Though expert hikers can make the round trip in a day, many take up to three, granting extra time to float in swimming holes, scope out waterfalls, and take in the hanging valleys and lush forests pouring into the sea.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
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The Jungfrau Region is situated in southwest Switzerland, in the Bernese Highlands, which is known for its glacial lakes, waterfalls, and stunning valleys.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Broncos’ second-year quarterback became the first player in NFL history to log two touchdown passes and two touchdown rushes in a fourth quarter.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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Atlanta failed to capitalize on that interception or on a pass-interference penalty against Deommodore Lenoir, who nearly had the 49ers’ first interception in 445 passes.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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