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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At the same time, the ravines have become junkyards, where home appliances, grocery carts, bald tires, grass clippings and autumn leaves have been dumped.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025 -
The tracks led north and east now, angling and twisting through the timber, across ravines and small draws, avoiding parks and passes, heading generally into the wind.—
Fred C. Mercer,
Outdoor Life,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Moreover, the use of harsh chemicals pollutes water and soil during lithium extraction.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Excessive fertilizer pollutes both soil and water systems.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Any member who violates the ban would need to pay a fee equal to 10% of the value of the covered investment, and get rid of any profits from that investment.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
In times of war, it is simply forbidden to say anything that violates the general consensus—and the consensus regarding the war is sacred and immutable.—
Uriel Kon
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Over time, the powerful current carved out massive gorges and canyons, including the Grand Canyon of the Nujiang.—
Lauren Liebhaber
September 2,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
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Captured in the canyons of Arizona, the image reveals how flickering light dances across textured stone, creating fleeting moments of beauty only found in the shadows.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Over time, the powerful current carved out massive gorges and canyons, including the Grand Canyon of the Nujiang.—
Lauren Liebhaber
September 2,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The journey runs the entire length of Australia from south to north, covering 1,851 miles and traversing dramatic gorges and curious rock formations of the ancient mountains of the Flinders Ranges.—
Alesandra Dubin,
AFAR Media,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Here, in a former metal yard turned residential drug rehabilitation center just outside of town, the 40-year-old arrived after years of addiction that began around the time opioid pain pills flooded into the hardscrabble region’s mountains and valleys.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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The early-morning thunderstorms that rumbled across the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys Tuesday also produced nearly 10,000 dry lightning strikes, sparking wildfires from the Mother Lode to the grasslands of eastern Sacramento County.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Wilson had his fair share of struggles in Week 1 against the Commanders, completing just 46 percent of his passes, throwing for 168 passing yards en route to a 21-6 loss.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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The 41-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback threw four touchdown passes and finished with 244 yards as his new team beat the New York Jets, 34-32 — leading the signal-caller to send a clear message to his fans and the haters.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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