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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The setting is breathtaking, with mountain ravines cascading away on either side.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025 -
The North course, par 71, 6,945 yards, challenges the most accomplished golfers with its ravines, wind and tricky greens, while the popular and more sedate and sheltered par-70, 6,580-yard South Course, with four ocean-side holes, invites and tests golfers of every level.—
Greg Mellen,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Debris pollutes waterways, cooking fires may spread, and the District Attorney’s Office has repeatedly documented how homeless residents are more likely to be victims of crime.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
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Most space debris pollutes low-Earth orbit.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But others say the law violates the First Amendment rights of counselors wishing to engage in the practice.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Although the ‘9-9-6’ workweek violates Chinese labor laws, it was famously endorsed by Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma in 2019.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The area has flat dirt trails for hikers and bikers, rock canyons and open grass fields.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
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The hills of Bethpage State Park create miniature valleys and canyons throughout the property, and in turn, the grandstands from the 15th to 17th holes create an amphitheater of chaos encircled by huge video boards.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Gates of Lodore trip, as it’s known, will cover 44 miles through three dramatic gorges—Lodore, Whirlpool, and Split Mountain—and two dozen mostly mild rapids in this remote, geologic wonderland along the Colorado-Utah border.—
John Briley,
Outside,
28 Sep. 2025
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Travelers can hike to the deep gorges of Gola di Gorropu or even traverse Sahara-like landscapes at the Dunes of Piscinas.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Its name draws from the Kazakh word for apple, reflecting the wild orchards of the surrounding valleys, which are believed to be the fruit’s birthplace.—
Nina Subkhanberdina,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
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The hills of Bethpage State Park create miniature valleys and canyons throughout the property, and in turn, the grandstands from the 15th to 17th holes create an amphitheater of chaos encircled by huge video boards.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This is the story of how Hurts threw half of his 38 passes in a second half in which the Eagles were initially leading.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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What to Expect Early to mid-October is the peak season for fall colors along the Enchanted Circle, where Wheeler Peak and nearby mountain passes offer expansive views of golden aspens, auburn pines, and evergreens.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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