harbors 1 of 2

noun

plural of harbor
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

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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

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harbors

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of harbor
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

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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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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

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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 harbors
Noun
For all other beaches and harbors, shallow with minor to moderate sea- water flooding will likely impact beaches and walkways, especially with the Sunday morning high tide which could cause local damage to most vulnerable locations such as Venice. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 Foreign governments are racing to gain access to African harbors. — Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026 The governor’s office said the state was securing its harbors, deploying emergency personnel to strategic locations and monitoring dams for any possible breaches or overflows. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026 This trade network linked Bergen, Riga, and other Baltic and North Sea harbors, connecting them not just economically but also culturally. — Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026 Jetties are long barriers often constructed of boulders or concrete at inlets or harbors to keep navigation channels open, while groins are shorter and often are built on open beaches to stop erosion and widen the sand area. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Yet despite sitting on one of the world’s largest natural harbors, Falmouth remains a relatively small player in the British cruise industry. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 After identifying the genomic safe harbors, the researchers applied short bursts of electricity to those eggs. — Jay Kakade august 05, Refractor, 5 Aug. 2026 Some harbors are too shallow for large vessels; in other ports there are protected reefs or other environmental restrictions; and some lack a pier large enough to accommodate the ship. — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 31 July 2026
Verb
Applications Agriculture Similar to other legumes, butterfly pea harbors nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules, enabling it to enrich the soil with nitrogen. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 The family harbors dark secrets, and the girls themselves turn to self-destructive behaviors. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 The Moon’s south pole harbors substantial quantities of water ice concentrated on the floors of craters away from the reach of sublimating rays of sunlight. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026 In other ways, SETT, which is part of Spain’s Ministry for Digital Transformation, also harbors a revolution. — John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026 However, the group still harbors legal and environmental concerns about sections of the alternative route that run through the Town of Fredonia. — Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2026 Still, Linnetz harbors a curious desire about the experience of helming a big house one day. — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026 His desire for purpose in life is deeply informed by a notion that the nation still harbors opportunities for freedom. — Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026 The compound harbors multiple restaurants, a full-scale spa, and a lush central courtyard garden. — Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbors
  1. ports
  2. shelters
  3. has
  4. houses
  5. protects
  6. anchorages
  7. refuges
  8. holds
Noun
  • Cargo trucks now line the highway for some 10 miles, waiting for a chance to enter the ports.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Russian drones have repeatedly violated Romanian airspace near some of Ukraine's Danube ports.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of ports
Noun
  • Smith has called for more clarity around shelters in city zoning code.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Here are Norte fire evacuations, shelters and school closures.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of shelters
Verb
  • Chinander said his staff has been studying film of Moore’s time as OC at Missouri in 2025, while Danielson also has notes from facing Moore during the latter’s time as OC with Fresno State in 2022.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, more than nine in 10 Americans say the federal government has the power to make a positive impact on society — suggesting many believe the current administration is not making use of that power.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of has
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 Brooklyn store also houses a small theater that hosts close-up magic performances, with Molly serving as the opening act, according to Rubin.
    — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of houses
Verb
  • The Idaho Consumer Protection Act, enacted in 1971, protects consumers from false, deceptive or misleading representations, advertising, pricing and contracts.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Rules finalized in 2024 also provided recognition that Title IX protects LGBTQ+ students and made live hearings optional.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of protects
Noun
  • The length of the suspension bridge is 8,614 feet, including anchorages, according to the bridge authority.
    — Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of anchorages
Noun
  • Piling leaves in corners or under shrubs creates refuges for these species.
    — Pam Rosendal, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Bring your binoculars, and see for yourself at these eight wildlife preserves and refuges.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of refuges
Verb
  • The smaller second bedroom holds the in-unit washer-dryer as well as an en suite bath.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 19 Oct. 2026
  • As chair of Metro’s 13-person board, Bass holds vast power over the Los Angeles County bus and rail network.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of holds

Browse Nearby Words

harboring
harbors
hard
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Cite this Entry

“Harbors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harbors. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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