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
-
So where fiber connections may be expensive to make (think rivers and ravines, for instance), or where permitting is very challenging, FSO could provide just the solution.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Dec. 2025
-
However, the weeks surrounding them can provide spectacular views of their own, as the line separating night from day, known as the terminator, sweeps across its surface, throwing ancient craters, ravines and mountain ranges into relief.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But to isolate gold, galamsey workers typically use poisonous mercury, which pollutes drinking water and farmland and has been linked to serious illness and birth defects.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
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The lawsuit alleges the freeze is based on unsupported allegations of social services fraud and violates Congress’ spending power.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The association has argued that Measure ULA violates both the state’s constitution and the Los Angeles City Charter.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Guests will have the chance to explore gorgeous beaches, canyons and cliffs outside, then relax by Mailena’s pool or in the Wellness and Longevity Center, featuring saunas, sensory deprivation tanks and biohacking suites.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
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That time, the fire department fought back with an almost orchestral force — convoys of trucks, helicopters hovering low in the smoke, tankers trailing lines of crimson retardant through the canyons.—
Jonathan Taplin,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Overnight at the Turkey Run State Park Inn, which has both a lodge and cabins set in 2,382 acres of woods and sandstone gorges.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In West Virginia, many of the thousands of bridges spanning mountain valleys and gorges are named for local veterans and on Main Streets in small towns, banners feature hometown soldiers, some of whom fought and died in past conflicts.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
6 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The coldest air arrives Friday night, with lows dropping into the low teens across the plains and urban corridor, and even colder readings expected in the foothills and mountain valleys.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, the quarter-mile-long run has a 30-foot tower and dips and valleys, for a total vertical drop of about 90 feet.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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