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
Using the text as a base, this piece tells the story of an unlikely bond — a ship’s Captain harboring a stowaway accused of murder —through a mix of words, dance, music, sound, and art installation.
—
Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Islamabad was isolated by Washington following its role harboring Osama bin Laden, but Pakistan is now out of the wilderness.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The strait is a significant trade artery for oil, harboring roughly 20 percent of the world’s supply of oil and natural gas.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
Christopher Kosakowski, United States, 2025 A circus clown celebrating his birthday alone receives a mysterious gift box harboring an antique zoetrope that spins his world into mayhem.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring the Pakistani Taliban, which Islamabad says carries out attacks inside Pakistan; Kabul denies the allegation.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Kabul denies harboring militant groups.
—Munir Ahmed, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers of harboring militant groups, particularly the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban, which stage attacks inside Pakistan.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Islamabad was isolated by Washington following its role harboring Osama bin Laden, but Pakistan is now out of the wilderness.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The strait is a significant trade artery for oil, harboring roughly 20 percent of the world’s supply of oil and natural gas.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
Christopher Kosakowski, United States, 2025 A circus clown celebrating his birthday alone receives a mysterious gift box harboring an antique zoetrope that spins his world into mayhem.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring the Pakistani Taliban, which Islamabad says carries out attacks inside Pakistan; Kabul denies the allegation.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Kabul denies harboring militant groups.
—Munir Ahmed, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers of harboring militant groups, particularly the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban, which stage attacks inside Pakistan.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harboring
Verb
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In addition to having those 14 months taken off his overall sentence, Combs is also likely eligible for a reduction in his sentence under the First Step Act and by participating in a drug rehabilitation program.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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In short, having patrons pump their own gas allowed gas stations to remain competitive.—
Laura Kiniry,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Refreshers can be ordered in both still and sparkling versions, accommodating afternoons that could use a bit of effervescence.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
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Tedros said the evacuation zone also includes a Health Ministry complex where five shelters are accommodating more than 5,000 people.—
Jennifer Hansler,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For hours before the rescue mission, A-10s and B-1 bombers had been pounding Iranian targets, including one bunker with 50 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders in it, and another bunker sheltering an IRGC commander, the sources said.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Navon got married there in 2021 while sheltering in place with her then-fiancé, grandmother, and mom.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Simply holding the mandolin had transported me back fifty years.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Min Aung Hlaing, who had attained the rank of senior general, last week relinquished his post of commander-in-chief because the constitution prohibits the president from simultaneously holding the top military position.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The spa was introduced in 2005, and in the same year, Silica, a clinic hotel aimed at housing those visiting for psoriasis treatment, was opened.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
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An Israeli airstrike hit the building housing their music school, along with several other businesses including a maternity clinic, on March 23.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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From Hollywood, California, to Hollywood, Florida, the wage standard needs nurturing and protecting with whatever tools are available.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
This November, the people of Florida will have an opportunity to hire a new attorney general, one who focuses on the actual duties of the attorney general like protecting the people of Florida from fraud and other crimes and consumers from exploitation by utility and insurance companies.—
Howard L. Simon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The people were lodging complaints about the government's intensifying crackdown on the internet that has seen regular shutdowns of cellphone internet connections, blocked popular messaging apps and cut access to thousands of other websites and digital services.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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But House Democrats say their removal from committee doesn't go far enough, lodging an ethics complaint against Engen and Hudson after a photo taken hours before the arrest showing the pair eating lunch and drinking at a restaurant nearby before returning to the Capitol for floor debate afterwards.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For years, state regulators had asked the Sheriff’s Office to stop triple-bunking people, a practice the department acknowledged was dangerous.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harboring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harboring. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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