nests

noun

plural of nest
1
as in centers
a place or environment that favors the development of something suspected that the elite private universities were a nest of antigovernment sentiments

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in hideouts
a place where a person goes to hide or to avoid others headed back to her cozy nest in the mountains for a little rest and relaxation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nests Juncos typically build nests on the ground, on gently sloping rocks, and in the roots of felled trees. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 27 July 2026 Chief among the dangers is climate change that has led to rising seas and erosion washing out oystercatcher nests. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 The hospital called Hahn, asking for help finding a solution for the birds that had fallen out of their nests. — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 19 July 2026 Wait until bird nests are empty before removing them and disinfecting your porch. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2026 Some build nests underground in grassy areas or dense vegetation, while others look for openings in trees, wall voids, eaves, and roof overhangs, says Jim McHale, president of JP McHale Pest Management. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026 Barring bedding season in the early summer when large fish guard nests in the shallows, bigger fish will hang out in deeper, cooler water most of the time. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026 These baits typically contain a slow-acting poison that the earwigs will carry back to their nests, affecting the entire population. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026 Also known as Bombus auricomus, the black-and-gold bumblebee is native to North America and builds below ground nests in the grasslands of Illinois. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nests
  1. centers
  2. hideouts
  3. nurseries
  4. lairs
  5. hotbeds
  6. bases
  7. seminaries
  8. breeding grounds
Noun
  • Data centers The biggest policy divide of the night came on a question about data centers.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, in another corner of the AI economy, the world's largest technology companies have committed nearly $700 billion to build data centers in 2026 alone, on top of $380 billion the year before.
    — Nili Gilbert, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of centers
Noun
  • Security forces carried out a ground operation along the border late Sunday, followed by strikes against militant hideouts and safe havens, killing 29 fighters, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said.
    — Abdul Qahar Afghan, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Pakistani security forces carried out a ground operation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border late Sunday, followed by strikes against militant hideouts and safe havens, killing 29 fighters, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Definition of hideouts
Noun
  • The versatile design lends itself to nurseries, playrooms, home offices, and casual living spaces alike.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 July 2026
  • In addition, children who initially spend time closer to their mothers in prison nurseries exhibit better mental health and academic outcomes than those who are separated from their mothers after delivery.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026
Definition of nurseries
Noun
  • These involve raiding the lairs of hoodlum rivals, then singlehandedly dissuading them from competition.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of lairs
Noun
  • However, Canada’s success at the World Cup could lead to even more interest in soccer in traditional hockey hotbeds.
    — Shelby Blackley, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • India leads the way population-wise, but other South Asian countries, as well as Great Britain and Commonwealth countries like Australia and New Zealand, are also cricket hotbeds.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
Definition of hotbeds
Noun
  • Athletics The Athletics are led by DH Brent Rooker, who hit 39 homers and stole 11 bases last year, and right fielder Lawrence Butler, an emerging star who added 22 homers and 18 steals.
    — Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Washington Nationals The Nationals should take the next step forward as their young nucleus, led by shortstop CJ Abrams, who hit 20 homers and stole 31 bases last year, continues to develop and improve.
    — Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of bases
Noun
  • Southwestern Seminary continues to be one of the largest and best resourced seminaries among the 280 seminaries accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, Dockery said in his letter.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
  • The politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have won exemptions for their followers to forgo military service and instead study in religious seminaries, but those exemptions are under threat.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of seminaries
Noun
  • These incidents have many travelers asking if cruises are breeding grounds for illnesses and germs?
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 11 May 2026
  • Apocalypse movies are breeding grounds for unlikely posses, and this Australian zom-com from writer-director Abe Forsythe is no exception.
    — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Definition of breeding grounds

Browse Nearby Words

nestors
nests
net
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Cite this Entry

“Nests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nests. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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