dens

Definition of densnext
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 Many are also remembering why dining rooms, dens, and offices exist. Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026 California Department of Fish and Wildlife A team of scientists attached a GPS collar to a Sierra Nevada red fox in the Lassen Peak area in 2018, leading to the team discovering several dens and giving them a better understanding of the reproduction, movement and habitat use. Brandon Downs, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026 These dens often featured curved furniture, shag carpet, and oversized ceramic lamps. Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026 This allowed biologists to locate several dens and gain a better understanding of the foxes’ reproductive patterns. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Fort Lauderdale Beach will contain two- to three-bedroom homes with dens, ranging from approximately 1,550 to 3,480 square feet. David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026 Loft spaces, finished basements, dens, and extra bedrooms offer families and buyers more room to meet their myriad needs. Cori Sears, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026 Male polar bears are active throughout the winter, unlike pregnant females that seek dens to enter their deep winter sleep and give birth. Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026 Forest-clearing, road-building and human agriculture have been a net good for groundhogs, increasing their access to food and providing them places to construct their dens, according to the Animal Diversity Web operated by the University of Michigan. Kate Perez, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dens
Noun
  • These involve raiding the lairs of hoodlum rivals, then singlehandedly dissuading them from competition.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Frontiers are already porous here, crossed by smuggling routes, refugee trails and militant hideouts.
    Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
  • According to the Old Farmers Almanac, the moon’s nickname actually refers to the worm-like beetle larvae that appear from winter hideouts, such as thawing tree bark, in North America during this time of year.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • These nests can be found along roof eaves, window corners, in mailboxes, and on sturdy plant leaves.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Perfect for a dessert tray or to top a cake, these little nests will delight everyone at your gathering.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Gophers are rarely spotted outside of their burrows as their eyes are quite sensitive to bright light.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Managing the genetic health of such a small population is essential for the species’ long-term viability, and the hair-collection method offers a noninvasive way to gather vital data without disturbing the wombats in their burrows.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Everyone is staying in their houses.
    Serra Yedikardes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Cognitive Mercury is trining Jupiter, uniting your 7th and 11th houses — which both focus on your connections with other people.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dens. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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