1
as in ports
a part of a body of water protected and deep enough to be a place of safety for ships
the tanker stayed in Boston harbor three days to undergo repairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in shelters
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
seeking a harbor from the drenching rain, we unfortunately chose a bank where a robbery was taking place
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in has
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in houses
to provide with living quarters or shelter
the woods in our suburb harbor deer, foxes, raccoons, and skunks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in protects
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of harbors
Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Just as with dumps on land, all kinds of waste was being disposed of in rivers, lakes and harbors.
—James Salzman, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
Known as the City of Sails, Auckland’s life centers on its two harbors.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Each day, harbors and observatories would raise and lower a metal ball at the same time to allow sailors to synchronize their instruments.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent rains mean water levels in harbors are already higher, and there’s a chance of overspill during early-morning hours that could make a mess of Pacific Coast Highway in low-lying areas such as Sunset Beach.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 31 Dec. 2025
The mayor's version of the budget did not increase property taxes, but did raise rates for such things as cloud computing and software licenses, and for boat docking in Chicago harbors.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Whether unwinding in the quiet serenity of the adults-only Solarium or sailing into vivid island harbors, each voyage blends relaxation with refined design.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Dec. 2025
There are no set itineraries, no crowds—just you, the sea, and the freedom to explore hidden harbors, iconic coastlines, and remote islands.
—Geoffrey Ravoire, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Every night, the boat docks, and the guests, each of whom harbors a dirty secret, are sent into a different port city to solve a puzzle, using clues that borrow elements of Sondheim’s treasure hunts.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
That’s fine by C, who harbors little feeling for our bumbling man anyway.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Unbeknownst to Sydney, Clara harbors a life-altering secret.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2025
But the desert harbors infinite quick tricks, and as the terrain dried while the temperature soared, weeks of cumulative fatigue set in.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Kabul denies the charge and counters that Pakistan harbors groups hostile to Afghanistan and does not respect its sovereignty.
—CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
If confirmed, the finding would overturn long-standing assumptions about Mars’ current climate conditions and reopen major questions about whether the planet still harbors environments capable of supporting microbial life.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Nov. 2025
That will be complicated for Ihora, who harbors resentment for her old friend.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
Soon, many harbors in Greenland may become too shallow for ship traffic.
—Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Just as with dumps on land, all kinds of waste was being disposed of in rivers, lakes and harbors.
—James Salzman, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
Known as the City of Sails, Auckland’s life centers on its two harbors.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Each day, harbors and observatories would raise and lower a metal ball at the same time to allow sailors to synchronize their instruments.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent rains mean water levels in harbors are already higher, and there’s a chance of overspill during early-morning hours that could make a mess of Pacific Coast Highway in low-lying areas such as Sunset Beach.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 31 Dec. 2025
The mayor's version of the budget did not increase property taxes, but did raise rates for such things as cloud computing and software licenses, and for boat docking in Chicago harbors.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Whether unwinding in the quiet serenity of the adults-only Solarium or sailing into vivid island harbors, each voyage blends relaxation with refined design.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Dec. 2025
There are no set itineraries, no crowds—just you, the sea, and the freedom to explore hidden harbors, iconic coastlines, and remote islands.
—Geoffrey Ravoire, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
Verb
Europa harbors a deep ocean beneath a shell of ice that's dozens of kilometers thick.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Every night, the boat docks, and the guests, each of whom harbors a dirty secret, are sent into a different port city to solve a puzzle, using clues that borrow elements of Sondheim’s treasure hunts.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
That’s fine by C, who harbors little feeling for our bumbling man anyway.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Unbeknownst to Sydney, Clara harbors a life-altering secret.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2025
But the desert harbors infinite quick tricks, and as the terrain dried while the temperature soared, weeks of cumulative fatigue set in.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Kabul denies the charge and counters that Pakistan harbors groups hostile to Afghanistan and does not respect its sovereignty.
—CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
If confirmed, the finding would overturn long-standing assumptions about Mars’ current climate conditions and reopen major questions about whether the planet still harbors environments capable of supporting microbial life.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Nov. 2025
That will be complicated for Ihora, who harbors resentment for her old friend.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbors
Noun
-
As supply chains become more digital and complex, the buildings behind them have become essential infrastructure, as vital to daily life as roads, ports, and fibre networks.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Environmental restoration and energy projects, roads and bridges, water and power, rail and ports, broadband for rural communities.—
Sacramento Bee staff,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Will Sacramento shelters close?—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Now, Sacramento city leaders are considering a ban on any new homeless shelters in the area.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This previously-$30 set of Merino wool socks already has an excellent value, but the new price point is even sweeter.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The bakery has two trailers on the property that are used for housing and as a test kitchen for the bakers.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His garage, otherwise known as the Emirates National Auto Museum, houses about 3,000 cars in total.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The building currently houses the Child Support Enforcement Division, which will be moved, Campo said.—
Emma Murphy,
Oklahoma Voice,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined in a federal whistleblower investigation that Balkan Express LLC violated the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which protects commercial motor vehicle safety complaints, according to the release.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Regular sweeping protects floors by removing gritty debris that can scratch and damage finishes.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The beach clubs and anchorages rival those of the western Mediterranean—but without the same summer crush of crowds.—
Geoffrey Ravoire,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Nov. 2025
-
At 8,614 feet, the Mackinac Bridge is still the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Hugging Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, Limón province is rich with natural wonders, from its white-sand beaches to its multiple wildlife refuges and volcanic landscapes.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Lodging options vary from winter campsites and rustic cottages, to cozy micro-refuges and larger chalets.—
Outside,
Outside,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One cheerfully holds a toothbrush, her hair wrapped in a matching second towel (for me, a universal symbol of maturity and womanhood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harbors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harbors. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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