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 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, 6 May 2026 Much of that has been concentrated in El Poblado, long a trendsetting neighborhood, whose dining scene is now made up of tasting menus, fermentation labs, and cocktail dens. Allie Lazar, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026 The arrest comes amid a crackdown on gambling dens in the city. Jason Green, Mercury News, 1 May 2026 Once a staple of 1970s living rooms, basements, and dens, this wall treatment was meant to bring warmth and character indoors, but often did the opposite. Cori Sears, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026 Houses could be rented for $15 a week and converted into bars, bordellos and gambling dens, with liquor licenses and health certificates optional. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026 Are prediction markets safe places for news junkies to bet on events - or dens of insider trading? CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026 Are prediction markets safe places for news junkies to bet on events — or dens of insider trading? ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026 The state even has cameras put up near their dens. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 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
  • Funky little guesthouses, coastal hideouts, and boutique retreats in the Greek capital.
    Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Defending nests is not a behavior such as is done by social wasps and hornets.
    Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
  • Carpenter bees tunnel into wood to create nests, which can lead to costly structural damage over time.
    Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • 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, 6 May 2026
  • Hikers will look for evidence like burrows, nests and tracks of tarantulas, toads, scorpions, glowworms and other nighttime creatures.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The rooms Designed like authentic Goan houses, each with its own distinct colors and landscaping, the resort seems quiet even when full (conference groups love this place).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
  • The change in beds, food, schedules and houses put a toll on our physical body that takes days to recover.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dens. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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