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
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
Trump is harboring an obvious political grudge against Bolton, one that started with revoking his security clearance and Secret Service detail immediately after taking office (even though credible threats against Bolton's life have been publicly reported).
—Isaac Saul, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 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
Turkey has long accused the SDF of harboring ties to the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and has supported operations against the SDF directly and through its Syrian National Army allies.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Proponents of the policy suggested that harboring such shameful secrets made federal workers vulnerable to blackmail by Soviet operatives (though nobody ever quite explained how a gay postal worker posed a threat to the nation).
—Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Trump is harboring an obvious political grudge against Bolton, one that started with revoking his security clearance and Secret Service detail immediately after taking office (even though credible threats against Bolton's life have been publicly reported).
—Isaac Saul, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 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
Turkey has long accused the SDF of harboring ties to the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and has supported operations against the SDF directly and through its Syrian National Army allies.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Proponents of the policy suggested that harboring such shameful secrets made federal workers vulnerable to blackmail by Soviet operatives (though nobody ever quite explained how a gay postal worker posed a threat to the nation).
—Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harboring
Verb
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Some common symptoms include the need to pee more frequently, feeling extremely thirsty, having dry and itchy skin, and getting dark, velvety patches on the skin.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
7 Sep. 2025
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Despite having iconic roles on The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, this is Howard's first-ever Emmy nomination for acting.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even after the policy change goes into effect, Jenkins said, Southwest will remain the industry leader in accommodating plus-size travelers.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
And because fall is all about staying cozy-slash-comfy while being on your feet all day, the Bae delivers support via its ultra-contoured outsole, accommodating toe box, and collar that, though made of the rubber-adjacent Croslite proprietary material, never rubs at your feet or causes blisters.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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About 440 people sheltering at the Holy Family Church of Gaza City planned to remain there, along with clergy assisting them, although the church has few defenses.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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Even before the hurricane struck, Boutte, her sister, a friend and the woman’s three children had all been sheltering at the property, which included the salon with a house on the top floor and a secondary building.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In the photo, Elordi stood behind Romy, holding a glass of wine as Romy stuck her tongue out at the camera.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Packers controlled the line of scrimmage, holding the league’s top-scoring offense from 2024 to just 13 points.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On one hand, state officials declare housing their top priority.—
Chip Monaco,
Oc Register,
1 Sep. 2025
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Ellis, a security guard for the building housing the obstetrician's office at the time, testified that the confrontation occurred after Cardi B, then pregnant with her first child, stepped out of an elevator on the fifth floor.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Not in our communities, but protecting assets & high priority targets downtown so that our @Chicago_Police don’t have to babysit the Bean or Buckingham Fountain for eight hours a day.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Terranea has been committed to protecting wildlife habitats and enhancing local water quality.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead, Salt Typhoon targeted telecom carriers, government systems, transportation hubs, lodging networks and even military infrastructure.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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Blood clots that develop can travel through the veins, lodging in the heart or lungs, leading to death.—
Jessica Van Egeren,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harboring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harboring. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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