HARBOR Synonyms: 163 Similar and Opposite Words

harbor 1 of 2

noun

ˈhär-bər

Definition of harbor

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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

harbor

2 of 2

verb

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

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

eject
evict

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expose

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

Foreign governments are racing to gain access to African harbors. — Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026 That base offered numerous recreational opportunities — beaches, playing fields, golf courses, movie theaters, restaurants and bars — many of which were located on an island at the harbor’s entrance solely devoted to R&R. — Roger Archibald, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

Her lawyers have argued that she was taken to Syria as a child and did not harbor the ideology of Islamic State. — Santul Nerkar, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026 There’s never been a stronger desire to know the ins and outs of our physical being, to harbor on our individuality, often with the help of devices—from Neko Scans to the Oura Ring. — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harbor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbor

Noun

Jang Kwang-pil, executive vice president and head of the Future Technology Research Institute at HD KSOE, said the exercise confirmed the vessel’s ability to handle complex missions after leaving port.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
But some cities, including the southern port city of Marseille, imposed a ban on public gatherings for most of Monday.

— Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of port

Noun

The church had been our refuge and our launching pad, our sanctuary and our strategy room.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Raney Aronson-Rath A chronicle of one Syrian daughter’s journey in fleeing war and seeking refuge in Germany, and how over ten years, new pressures and opportunities present themselves.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of refuge

Verb

At the Fondation Cartier, people will have free access to them.

— Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Sullivan denied that the law would cut Medicaid for Alaskans, saying the Affordable Care Act had a greater impact and raised insurance premiums in the state drastically.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of have

Verb

The store houses Smythson’s full selection, and also features a dedicated bespoke stationery salon, the only one outside of London, where customers can book a one-on-one appointment with a stationery specialist.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
The gallery’s New York flagship has been located on the Upper East Side since 2014, in a set of historic buildings comprising some 17,500 square feet that formerly housed the National Academy Museum.

— News Desk, Artforum, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of house

Verb

At Mekelle's Tigray Martyrs' Memorial Monument, former fighters lined up to register with the authorities, some carrying papers or sheltering under umbrellas.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Former combatants seek to return to civilian life At Mekelle’s Tigray Martyrs’ Memorial Monument, former fighters lined up to register with the authorities, some carrying papers or sheltering under umbrellas.

— Khaled Kazziha, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shelter

Noun

The transfer took place at an anchorage off Zhoushan on October 13, in open water away from port infrastructure, according to Chinese Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), a state energy firm.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
The ship has arrived at safe anchorage and none of its crew were hurt, the Singapore maritime authority said.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of anchorage

Noun

Zoo manager Jocelyn Smeltzer said the group wanted to invest in improvements that would benefit the sanctuary for years to come.

— James Taylor, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
With a foreword by fashion designer Jenna Lyons, the book showcases a variety of distinct residential projects, from city penthouses and lakeside retreats to coastal sanctuaries, culminating in their first luxury yacht project.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of sanctuary

Verb

Deep underground, iron-rich rocks could hold the key to producing hydrogen at a fraction of the cost of conventional fuels.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Oct. 2026
Firms that know exactly where the line sits hold quiet advantages their competitors cannot purchase or replicate.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of hold

Browse Nearby Words

harbingers

harbor

harborage

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Style

“Harbor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harbor. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of harbor

noun

verb

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