harbor 1 of 2

noun

ˈhär-bər How to pronounce harbor (audio)
Definition of harbornext
1
as in port
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 refuge
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

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harbor

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to have
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to house
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 to shelter
to be or provide a shelter for the little cabin is harbored from the wind by a thick growth of pines

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 harbor
Noun
Plans for the waterfront include new green space, a water feature and an elevated stage overlooking the harbor, along with major infrastructure designed to protect downtown from flooding. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 The offerings of any decent oyster shucker will change according to the seasons and the tides and the shoals and the shipping lines and the harbor freight and the rush-hour traffic on the interstate. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
Nick Dean One year later, in August 2025, a six-person jury in Douglas County found Oliver not guilty of misdemeanor charges of harboring a dangerous dog. — Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026 Islamabad accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of harboring militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan — a charge Kabul denies. — Abdul Qahar Afghan, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harbor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbor
  1. port
  2. refuge
  3. have
  4. house
  5. shelter
  6. anchorage
  7. sanctuary
  8. hold
Noun
  • Engineering for faster ports The first vessel is expected to enter service on the Baltic Sea before summer 2030, according to TT-Line.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Jebel Ali prototype has handled nearly 500,000 TEUs in trials, and DP World is spending £170 million ($225 million) on the first full-scale version at its London Gateway port.
    — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of port
Noun
  • Following the advice of food bloggers and influencers, overzealous visitors have thronged a rifugio (refuge) in Italy’s Val di Fassa valley, all because of this traditional pastry.
    — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • As more than 50 others sought refuge in L’Arche de la Nouvelle Alliance, a Protestant church that had been sheltering people already displaced by the violence, the gunmen pursued them.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of refuge
Verb
  • And some of the outlook may have less to do with the immediate issues and more about life stage.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Staff come from all over the globe, and have extensive top-level international hospitality experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • In 1985, Dior issued a limited edition bracelet meant to house their famous Poison perfume, a thick, hollow noodle finished with resin stoppers that could be filled with the scent.
    — Chloe Schama, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Animation series will be housed at the Hotel Sina Bernini Bristol, with new programs titled Animation Next and Gap Financing.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of house
Verb
  • Several members favored the Piazza della Signoria for the David, whereas architect Giuliano da Sangallo proposed sheltering it beneath the Loggia della Signoria.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The revenue the accountant worked to shelter on paper becomes the very evidence that supports the loan.
    — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shelter
Noun
  • More than 139 container vessels resided in the port’s outer anchorages as of Thursday morning, Seko said.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • His creative solution is to tie the inflatables to the tender and Jet Ski and have Max and Coop tow them to the new anchorage.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of anchorage
Noun
  • Situated by the storied Osaka Castle, Patina Osaka is a modern urban sanctuary that pays homage to the Japanese city’s singular beauty and immerses guests in its dynamic culture.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Her condition ultimately deteriorated, and veterinarians were unable to revive her after her heart stopped, according to the sanctuary.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sanctuary
Verb
  • Namely, a forgiving elastic waistband, a breezy, lightweight feel, and pockets that are actually deep enough to hold your essentials.
    — Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The bag is big enough to hold all your travel essentials—even a small umbrella or tablet—and features two slip pockets and one zip pocket inside.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of hold

Browse Nearby Words

harbingers
harbor
harborage
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Cite this Entry

“Harbor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harbor. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on harbor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about harbor

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