dens

noun

plural of den
1
as in lairs
the shelter or resting place of a wild animal the foxes hid in their den until the bear finally left the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in hideouts
a place where a person goes to hide or to avoid others an abandoned building that is often used as a den by the city's petty criminals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 dens The hibernation period usually begins when bears start entering dens in mid-November, and lasts until mid-December. — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 The next Sam Altman or Elon Musk is probably spending their formative young adult years in one of these debaucherous dens. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 Sep. 2026 Restaurateur Robert LeBlanc and his team have created a neighborhood bar that takes its drinks seriously, a welcome addition to the New Orleans bar landscape which is notably short on dedicated whiskey dens. — Kristin Braswell, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 Other Animals While you may be tempted to blame other animals such as opossums or snakes, or even coyotes for making holes or burrows in your yard, these creatures are more likely to use existing animal holes for their dens. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026 Mother bears like Electra will teach their cubs about safe places to build dens, where and when to find food, and how to get it. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026 The project’s team also sank artificial dens in the waters to give the vulnerable newcomers somewhere to hide. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 As people continue to seek comfort and meaningful moments at home, dens provide the ideal environment. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026 Doggy dens and cat cubbies Cozy sleeping nooks built into under-stair cavities, cabinet bases, or custom millwork, giving pets a den of their own that disappears into the architecture. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dens
  1. lairs
  2. hideouts
  3. nests
  4. burrows
  5. houses
Noun
  • Some large bulls may retreat to lairs and hang out by themselves, remaining there as long as there is adequate food and water.
    — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
  • These involve raiding the lairs of hoodlum rivals, then singlehandedly dissuading them from competition.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of lairs
Noun
  • The strikes targeted militant hideouts at two locations, with initial reports indicating 22 militants had been killed, Pakistan's Ministry of Information said.
    — MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The conflicting statements came just days after Pakistani fighter jets struck sites in eastern Afghanistan that Islamabad said were militant hideouts, an escalation between Kabul and Islamabad that threatens mediation efforts by regional powers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of hideouts
Noun
  • In 2004, the sea turtle population was in crisis, with a low of 358 nests.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • This undated photo shows chinstrap penguins returning to nests in South Sandwich Islands, Zavodovski Island, Antarctica.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of nests
Noun
  • In addition, because rodents often die in their burrows, and new rodents move in to set up camp, the fungus capitalizes on a steady stream of mammal flesh.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Skunk Tracks Skunks will leave five-toed prints to and from their burrows.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of burrows
Noun
  • The hotel has a total of 59 rooms and suites, residences, villas, and houses for guests to choose from, including a few options in the original farmhouse, or stancija.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The king tides came knocking Then, in August, came the first big king tide that sent punishing waves slamming into houses along the boardwalk.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of houses

Browse Nearby Words

de novo
dens
dense
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Cite this Entry

“Dens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dens. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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