1
as in having
to keep in one's mind or heart
he had long harbored a grudge against his old employer, who had high-handedly fired him without cause
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accommodating
to provide with living quarters or shelter
the woods in our suburb harbor deer, foxes, raccoons, and skunks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sheltering
to be or provide a shelter for
the little cabin is harbored from the wind by a thick growth of pines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harboring
The campaign also seeks to sow confusion among voters who lean towards PAS, by promoting nominally pro-EU candidates and parties who many suspect of harboring ties to Russia.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
In his remarks, Padrino also accused the United States of harboring aggressive intentions against Venezuela.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Since landing in Jezero Crater in 2021, Perseverance has been equipped with a drill to bore into Martian rock and tubes to secure samples from areas considered most favorable for harboring signs of life billions of years ago.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Cats have a one-in-seven chance of harboring the disease, a likelihood that increases to one-in-four for pig and rhesus macaque nuclear families.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Taylor gives Denise permission to pursue Steven, despite still clearly harboring feelings for her ex.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Given recent events involving the rotation, you could be forgiven for harboring concern even with that lead.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Any accompanying moons, however, could have better chances for harboring oceans—and perhaps even life.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
In the film, Bledel starred as teenager Winnie Foster who meets Jesse Tuck (Jonathan Jackson), a boy who is unlike anyone she’s ever met before but is harboring a major secret.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
In his remarks, Padrino also accused the United States of harboring aggressive intentions against Venezuela.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Since landing in Jezero Crater in 2021, Perseverance has been equipped with a drill to bore into Martian rock and tubes to secure samples from areas considered most favorable for harboring signs of life billions of years ago.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Cats have a one-in-seven chance of harboring the disease, a likelihood that increases to one-in-four for pig and rhesus macaque nuclear families.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Taylor gives Denise permission to pursue Steven, despite still clearly harboring feelings for her ex.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Given recent events involving the rotation, you could be forgiven for harboring concern even with that lead.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Any accompanying moons, however, could have better chances for harboring oceans—and perhaps even life.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
In the film, Bledel starred as teenager Winnie Foster who meets Jesse Tuck (Jonathan Jackson), a boy who is unlike anyone she’s ever met before but is harboring a major secret.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harboring
Verb
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Martin Odegaard hobbling off the Emirates pitch for the third time in as many starts would have frustrated Mikel Arteta, but having Martin Zubimendi waiting in the wings is a luxury any manager would dream of.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Why does one hard working fan have to buy seven different versions of an album instead of just having all of the songs be on one complete album?—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kobach has petitioned top Republican lawmakers to convene a special session with the goal of blocking the Kansas Department of Revenue from resuming its practice of accommodating gender marker change requests, according to a letter sent to GOP lawmakers and obtained by The Star.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
-
By accommodating Wirtz, Slot has changed the midfield dynamic that won Liverpool the Premier League title.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Turkey has been accused of sheltering Hamas members in the country.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Israel has for years claimed that Hamas fighters are sheltering in hospitals and other civilian places to avoid Israeli attacks.—
Christina Macfarlane,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Almost as a cry for help, just holding onto her last bit of identity and not having a lot of time to do things on her own time.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
In case that wasn't enough of a wink from the show's creators, there's a scene in the finale where the head nurse at the institution holding Gein advises him to write a book, noting that so many other people have taken liberties with his story.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There was no information immediately available about the condition of the building housing the dentist’s office .—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
-
That difference shifts housing from 27 percent of a retiree’s budget in surplus states to 32 percent in shortfall states.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Flavonoid antioxidants found in pears can support heart health by reducing inflammation and protecting against cellular damage that contributes to heart disease.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
30 Sep. 2025
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That would theoretically limit any guard deployment to protecting federal buildings and monitoring immigration raids and arrests.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Amanda Worman, a former employee of the farm who had contacted PETA about her concerns, which led to PETA lodging a complaint with the Idaho Department of Agriculture, told the Statesman that she was disappointed PETA had dismissed the lawsuit.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Sep. 2025
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There are also two lodging options, the full-service Loews Ventana Canyon resort with nearly 400 rooms and suites, and the Ventana Canyon Club & Lodge, more residential, with lodging in 50 spacious suites.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Koster notched six points for the Heartlanders in seven playoff games while rooming with former Gophers teammate Jonny Sorenson.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harboring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harboring. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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