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
  • Many more were imperiled by muddy water racing through the narrow ravines, sparking frantic rescue missions for dozens.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Lake Overstreet has about five miles of multi-use trails through live oaks (a northern Florida staple), hills and ravines surrounding a secluded 144-acre lake.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of ravines
Verb
  • The usual analogy is that generative AI and LLMs are akin to a factory that pollutes local waters.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of pollutes
Verb
  • The court recognized that an employer’s authority to terminate an at-will employee can be limited when a discharge violates fundamental public policy.
    — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The groups argued that the agency’s move violates its obligations under the Clean Air Act.
    — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of violates
Noun
  • The kitchen, for example, had overhead cabinets that blocked the views of the cliffs and canyons of Topanga State Park, which stretches just beyond the living room and deck.
    — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Boldface names were offered tours of the oasis of AlUla and its vast sandstone canyons.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of canyons
Noun
  • Cliffs teeter at 1,640 feet, before tumbling down in a flurry of vineyards and walking trails to the rushing rivers and gorges of Sil and Miño.
    — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Picture show The bridge-building nonprofit Fika is connecting communities in Rwanda separated by rivers and gorges.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of gorges
Noun
  • The worst came during the early hours of July 28, when heavy rains fell on already soggy ground, running down steep hills into narrow river valleys — a perfect recipe for fast, devastating flooding.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The mountains and far interior could see an additional 3 to 6 degrees of warming Wednesday, and there’s a 40% chance the warmest valleys could reach triple digits Friday or Saturday, according to the forecast.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of valleys

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defiles
defiling
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Cite this Entry

“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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