nest

noun

ˈnest How to pronounce nest (audio)
Definition of nestnext
1
as in center
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 hideout
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 nest Up to 70% of native bee species, including many insects’ cocoons and larvae, nest in the ground. — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 Check kitchens, sinks, walls, and hidden spaces for droppings, gnaw marks, nest material, smells, and scratching sounds. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 8 Oct. 2026 This undated photo shows chinstrap penguins returning to nests in South Sandwich Islands, Zavodovski Island, Antarctica. — CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 According to the lore, a nest built unusually high off the ground predicts a snowy winter. — Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nest
  1. center
  2. hideout
  3. nursery
  4. lair
  5. seminary
  6. nidus
  7. capital
Noun
  • Janabi said one of the biggest challenges has been persuading those who are infected to seek medical assistance, adding that some deaths occur in the community outside of health centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Still, if the new CBS is managing to hold the center in Washington, there’s been a far more dramatic shift in coverage of Israel and Gaza.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • For many Californians, the Lake Tahoe area is a favorite, not-so-secret hideout throughout the year.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • After all, the kids need a reason to map out their hideout spots in the Met.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of hideout
Noun
  • Other garden bits Fall plant sales abound Now is the perfect time to procure new plants, as gardens and nurseries across Southern California are hosting plant sales over the coming weeks.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • An inquiry found that the nursery had no fire alarm or sprinkler system and that the hospital lacked detailed procedures and training for responding to fires and other emergencies.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of nursery
Noun
  • This transforms Huston into a colorful enchantress with her grim lair now becoming a lush Greek-like temple.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Some large bulls may retreat to lairs and hang out by themselves, remaining there as long as there is adequate food and water.
    — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of lair
Noun
  • The backstory Seminary Hill Catskills is named after the south-sloping hillside with stunning views of the Delaware River Valley where it's situated, home to a now-shuttered former seminary.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • One of his favorite artifacts is a Humber bicycle from 1889 or 1890, used when a Baptist seminary was in the community, which was founded as a Baptist temperance area.
    — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of seminary
Noun
  • The indisputably desirable goal of supporting walking, biking and bus-riding around an Uptown nidus was severely wounded.
    — Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 30 Nov. 2020
  • To deliberately collapse and compress a lobe of lung, and with it, its nidus of festering infection.
    — Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2017
Definition of nidus
Noun
  • In 2027 the film festival also joins Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival in celebrating eight decades of creativity and bringing audiences together in the Scottish capital.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As one of the principal gateways into the Saudi capital and a foundation stone of the entire Vision 2030 project, the Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s airport directly threaten the Kingdom’s strategy.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of capital

Phrases Containing nest

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nesses
nest
nest egg
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Cite this Entry

“Nest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nest. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nest

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