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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
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Recent Examples of dens
Our hunting is done in ledge areas in the vicinity of the winter dens.
—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
That’s the message from MassWildlife, as thousands of black bears leave their winter dens and seek out food.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Generally, humans and pets alike should stay away from thick patches of brush where dens are most common.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The yearly report, which was released on Wednesday, comes amid the spring season when bears are emerging from their dens and becoming more active.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
In mountainous areas, such as Big Bear, several rattlesnakes will live together in dens.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Li is suspected of involvement in offenses including operating gambling dens, fraud, unlawful business operations and concealing and disguising the proceeds of crime, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported, citing Beijing’s Ministry of Public Security.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Wolves typically establish their dens in April, limiting their movement.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The coyotes appear to be more concerned with their dens’ structural integrity.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026
Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
That’s the message from MassWildlife, as thousands of black bears leave their winter dens and seek out food.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Generally, humans and pets alike should stay away from thick patches of brush where dens are most common.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The yearly report, which was released on Wednesday, comes amid the spring season when bears are emerging from their dens and becoming more active.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
In mountainous areas, such as Big Bear, several rattlesnakes will live together in dens.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Li is suspected of involvement in offenses including operating gambling dens, fraud, unlawful business operations and concealing and disguising the proceeds of crime, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported, citing Beijing’s Ministry of Public Security.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Wolves typically establish their dens in April, limiting their movement.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The coyotes appear to be more concerned with their dens’ structural integrity.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 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
-
The octopuses can safely stand still during their hour-long mating process because, Villar speculates, both male and female can be hidden in their respective rocky hideouts.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2026
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There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, which repeatedly has said its military only targets Afghan posts and militant hideouts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But even the entry-level Superior Rooms offer good-sized nests for a Florentine sojourn, and there is no such thing as a small bathroom in this establishment (or one, come to that, without enough marble to carve a David).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
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According to LaGreco, penguin chicks stay in their nests with their parents for about three months before venturing out.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most of them are solitary insects that live alone in underground burrows, hollow plant stems, or small nests built of mud and other debris.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Apr. 2026
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The program also resulted in a slight decrease in rat burrows in some areas.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are majestic overhead views, grand Pacific sunsets, houses tucked among surrounding forests, their lights showing like fireflies through the foliage.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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The village at the top consists of two restaurants (the more expensive one has a view of a steep canyon and the blue Rio Grande below) and a smattering of houses.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dens. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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