defiles 1 of 2

noun

plural of defile
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

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defiles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of defile
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

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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

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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 defiles
Verb
Moral and intellectual descent is inherent in a political project that sets out to undermine liberal democracy, reject the inclusive egalitarianism of modern America, find enemies to demonize, and heroize a leader who defiles common decency. — George Packer, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiles
  1. ravines
  2. pollutes
  3. violates
  4. canyons
  5. gorges
  6. valleys
Noun
  • Hundreds, thousands of solar panels are distributed like macropixels among ravines, pampas, slopes, and wherever there’s room for them.
    — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026
  • The gardens were developed in the 1930s on a site featuring natural ravines, now crossed by suspension bridges and laced with trails.
    — Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026
Definition of ravines
Verb
  • The Chenab River runs red with blood while poison pollutes the five rivers of Punjab and spreads through the fertile soil.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • New rules require hundreds of businesses to clean up runoff from large parking lots that pollutes creeks and beaches.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of pollutes
Verb
  • One day later, Paramount agreed to hold off on the acquisition until the court makes a decision of whether or not the deal violates antitrust laws.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Company reserves the right to disqualify any participant who violates these Terms or the official Yahoo Survival Pool rules.
    — The Athletic, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of violates
Noun
  • Propelled by strong winds and low humidity, the flames quickly spread over foothills and through canyons.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Forecasters warn slow-moving storms could be especially dangerous near burn scars, slot canyons and other vulnerable terrain.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of canyons
Noun
  • The outdoorsy traveler hiking the gorges in Crete or the trails in Andros should bring a pair of sturdy shoes, a hat for sun protection, and tons of SPF.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 27 July 2026
  • The list spans the country, from New England villages awash in crimson and gold to alpine landscapes in Colorado and dramatic river gorges in the Pacific Northwest.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of gorges
Noun
  • Smoke from the #WoodsideFire is expected to continue to flow into the North Bay valleys with the peak transport occurring in the afternoon and evening hours.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Nearly a thousand miles from Tahiti, Fatu Hiva is marked by towering sea cliffs and lush tropical valleys that give way to rolling green hills at the higher, cooler elevations.
    — Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026
Definition of valleys

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defilements
defiles
defiling
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Cite this Entry

“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of defiles for Spanish Speakers

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