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
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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
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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.
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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.
Verb
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Unless the energy powering data centers comes from clean energy sources, such as solar, wind or geothermal, generating that electricity also pollutes the air.
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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.
Verb
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Filing a false immigration claim violates anti-fraud statues, according to DHS General Counsel James Percival, and those who file them should be held accountable, according to a memo from Percival and reviewed by ABC News.
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In 2022, a federal judge ruled that the state law violates Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act.
Noun
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At Garland Ranch, trails climb from the Carmel River through oak woodland, chaparral and shaded canyons with the sort of views that drew people to California in the first place.
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The drive from Las Vegas offers more to see and do along the way, including exploring narrow slot canyons in stunning Cathedral Gorge State Park and wandering through the infamous Wild West town of Pioche, Nevada.
Noun
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With peaks up to 1,531 metres and cut through by deep gorges, these mountains are wild and spectacular, said Oliver Smith in the Financial Times.
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The single that slipped through the middle of the infield had allowed the Mets to strike first in a game just getting started, but early deficits feel deep gorges these days.
Noun
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Marked by towering mountains, spectacular valleys and glacial blue lakes in every direction, the towns of Banff and Lake Louise have attracted travelers for decades.
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Wind gusts across mountain tops and through valleys, and even along the coast, could top 30 mph.
Cite this Entry
“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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