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
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
George Packer, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
-
The face of the moon never looks the same from one night to the next, as the shifting angle between the moon and sun causes sunlight to sweep across its surface, altering the shadows cast by craters, mountain ranges and ravines.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
23 May 2026
-
Madeira’s cliffs and ravines are difficult enough that many walking holidays there are guided and focused on one part of the island, including the eight-mile forest hike through Ribeiro Frio.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the unceasing churn of clothing, footwear and accessories depletes soils, poisons the water, pollutes the air, drives deforestation, accelerates biodiversity loss and generates runaway planet-warming emissions that undermine brands’ lofty environmental ambitions.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
-
Runoff pollutes water used to irrigate crops and provide water for livestock.—
Abraham Nunbogu,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The suit, filed on June 1 in the District Court’s Dallas division by Dallas firm Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, claims that the destruction of the mural, designated as Whaling Wall 82, violates the artist’s rights under the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 (VARA).—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
2 June 2026
-
What happened Florida on Monday sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company’s AI chatbot violates state consumer protection laws.—
Rafi Schwartz,
TheWeek,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Most long-distance Amtrak trains feature Sightseer Lounges with floor-to-ceiling glass domed windows, perfect for taking in the soaring desert canyons, rugged mountain ranges, and towering river gorges, all from the comfort of your seat.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Located off Highway 180, Roaring River Falls flows from Deadman and Cloud canyons deep in the park's wilderness.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
France’s Massif Central rounds out the European picks with dormant volcanoes, deep river gorges and lush plateaus.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Most long-distance Amtrak trains feature Sightseer Lounges with floor-to-ceiling glass domed windows, perfect for taking in the soaring desert canyons, rugged mountain ranges, and towering river gorges, all from the comfort of your seat.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Set the scene Deliberately designed like a modern-day Acropolis, Amanzoe is poised on a hilltop with wide-screen views of the rolling valleys and smooth seas of the Peloponnese.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The hotel is near surreal valleys, honeycombed with cave dwellings and frescoed Byzantine cave churches.—
Anya von Bremzen,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
