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
Already harboring her own personal vendetta against Roper, Burr visits Pine in Switzerland and convinces him to infiltrate Roper’s business and avenge Sophie’s death.
—
Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The king also recalled his mother Queen Elizabeth harboring a similar fear.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
In fact, thanks to more time spent indoors with closed windows, your bedding is likely harboring even more body oils, skin cells, and potential allergens than in other seasons.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026
Old Sponges And Loofahs Loofahs and bath sponges don’t always dry out well between baths, and constant moisture from steamy showers and bubble baths can create the perfect environment for harboring bacteria.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
The two actors costarred in the 2011 movie The Son of No One, which follows Tatum as a police officer in New York City in the early 2000s harboring a dark secret from his childhood.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
In a lawsuit filed in October 2024, Chew accused Price of harboring anti-Asian American views and firing him as a result.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
Hyland also noted six of the eight judges Troupis accused of harboring ill will against him, including Hyland, were not judges when Troupis was on the bench for less than a year between 2015 and 2016.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson had said Tulane officials reported the monkeys were not infectious, despite initial reports by the truck’s occupants warning that the monkeys were dangerous and harboring various diseases.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The king also recalled his mother Queen Elizabeth harboring a similar fear.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
In fact, thanks to more time spent indoors with closed windows, your bedding is likely harboring even more body oils, skin cells, and potential allergens than in other seasons.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026
Old Sponges And Loofahs Loofahs and bath sponges don’t always dry out well between baths, and constant moisture from steamy showers and bubble baths can create the perfect environment for harboring bacteria.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
The two actors costarred in the 2011 movie The Son of No One, which follows Tatum as a police officer in New York City in the early 2000s harboring a dark secret from his childhood.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
In a lawsuit filed in October 2024, Chew accused Price of harboring anti-Asian American views and firing him as a result.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
Hyland also noted six of the eight judges Troupis accused of harboring ill will against him, including Hyland, were not judges when Troupis was on the bench for less than a year between 2015 and 2016.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson had said Tulane officials reported the monkeys were not infectious, despite initial reports by the truck’s occupants warning that the monkeys were dangerous and harboring various diseases.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harboring
Verb
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From frequent favorites like Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez and George and Amal Clooney, to couples having a rare date night like Julia Roberts and Danny Moder and Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Moroney, significant others had a significant presence.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Jaffery describes it as an unfortunate oversight and a prime example on the importance of having diverse voices at the table when making decisions.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Accessibility Amanyara wasn’t designed with ADA regulations in mind, but staff are committed to accommodating ADA compliance requests by installing ramps, assist rails and handles, and shower seating as needed.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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However, Denver-area businesses, worried about accommodating growth, urged the PUC not to scale back Xcel’s target.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The pink and yellow rods showed that the shooter likely fired downward -- through the desks -- toward the sheltering students, Torrez said.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The hollow stems of plants like bee balm and goldenrod are a good spot for egg laying, so cutting them back reduces safe sheltering spots where females can lay eggs.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jeff Bezos holding the device high.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
-
This loss had to be especially tough for the Jayhawks, considering a controversial holding call on KU changed the momentum of the game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The university will open a new residence hall in 2026, housing another 300 students on its 175-acre campus.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
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The 100,000-square-foot building formerly housing the clothing and home goods store is being transformed into multiple shops, with a new name and new facade, said John Ardigo, director of construction with Tourmaline Capital, a real estate development firm working on the project.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Our students, families, and taxpayers deserve leaders who put the best interests of the community first, not individuals who appear focused on protecting one another instead of protecting the integrity of our school system.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
But many environmental experts, including Earthjustice senior attorney Mychal Ozaeta, say the proposal caters to the coal industry rather than protecting communities.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Though town officials tried to push other activities, such as snowmobiling, ice skating and snowshoeing, lodging bookings plummeted in the wake of the resort’s closure.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
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Measures in Gilpin, Hinsdale, Ouray and Eagle counties will generate funds through lodging taxes.—
Jenn Finders,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The dispute — fueled by Fleming’s claims about Slusser’s health and academics and Slusser’s allegations about playing and rooming with a biological male — has triggered lawsuits and intense national scrutiny on the program.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
17 Dec. 2025
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Larry Bradley played outside linebacker for UC Davis from 1978-81, rooming with Ken O’Brien.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
14 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harboring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harboring. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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