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
Pakistan has frequently accused Afghanistan, where the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, of harboring militants, including members of the Pakistani Taliban.
—
Munir Ahmed, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Pakistan has frequently accused Afghanistan, where the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, of harboring militants, including members of the Pakistani Taliban.
—Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Yes, while taking their holiday in Benedict's country home, all the ingredients are there for the pair to fall hopelessly in love with each other, in spite of their disparate social stations and the secret Sophie is harboring about the masquerade ball.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
China is home to the largest population of wild snow leopards in the world, according to the Snow Leopard Trust, with the country harboring the majority of the global population.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Apart from harboring specific opinions on what makes the best biscuit recipe, many Southerners are even particular about how to eat them.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
HOURglass who is harboring a dark secret about his past.
—Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Geopolitically weakened, Iran can’t expect its ally Russia to come to its aid, beyond shipping helicopters and harboring fleeing leaders, Carnegie Politika wrote.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Emily Bader and Tom Blyth star as best friends harboring feelings in Netflix's romantic comedy.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Munir Ahmed, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Pakistan has frequently accused Afghanistan, where the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, of harboring militants, including members of the Pakistani Taliban.
—Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Yes, while taking their holiday in Benedict's country home, all the ingredients are there for the pair to fall hopelessly in love with each other, in spite of their disparate social stations and the secret Sophie is harboring about the masquerade ball.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
China is home to the largest population of wild snow leopards in the world, according to the Snow Leopard Trust, with the country harboring the majority of the global population.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Apart from harboring specific opinions on what makes the best biscuit recipe, many Southerners are even particular about how to eat them.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
HOURglass who is harboring a dark secret about his past.
—Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Geopolitically weakened, Iran can’t expect its ally Russia to come to its aid, beyond shipping helicopters and harboring fleeing leaders, Carnegie Politika wrote.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Emily Bader and Tom Blyth star as best friends harboring feelings in Netflix's romantic comedy.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harboring
Verb
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There were noticeable knock-on effects of having so few fixtures.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Once chewed up by the machine of expectation and found guilty of the eternal athletic sin of having too much talent too soon, Liu has since learned how to spit back rather than be spit out.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rutledge added that maintaining TV studios, crews and accommodating large audiences is becoming increasingly costly for producers, who are looking more to other types of digital and social platforms that are more attractive to advertisers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Parents of children with special needs often shy away from high-end spaces where their kids’ behavior might be on full display—but in my experience, the more luxurious the environment, the more patient, accommodating, and unflappable the staff tends to be.—
Melissa Petro,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to a press release Friday, the city will activate two temporary centers dedicated to sheltering people from the weather.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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The fracturing of the television audience parallels the schisms in America’s political culture, with viewers and voters increasingly sheltering in partisan echo chambers.—
Karrin Vasby Anderson,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Detroit entered the post-All-Star meeting holding a 2-0 lead in the three-game season series, which meant the Pistons owned the tiebreaker regardless of the outcome at The Garden on Thursday.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
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Many people feel better holding a large cash cushion, especially after periods of volatility.—
Joanna Rotenberg,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The building housing the Merchant's House Museum was built in 1832.—
Jeana Fermi,
ABC News,
13 Feb. 2026
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According to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, housing those inmates has forced the county to spend between $20 million and $30 million from the county's general fund to cover the expenses.—
Lucas Finton,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The staff acts as almost a mini-military– serving and protecting this metaphorical anti-war, positive energy force field.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Despite state and local laws restricting law enforcement from assisting immigration enforcement, California and San Diego agencies continue to work with the federal government on task forces aimed at combating cross-border crime and protecting public safety.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The other is in the South Bay, lodging at Hilton’s Signia hotel in San Jose and practicing at San Jose State’s Spartan Soccer Complex just south of the university campus.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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According to Delaware North’s website, its parks and resorts subsidiary provides services in seven national parks and operates lodging in five communities near parks, including Yosemite.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
12 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2026.
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