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
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 Meet the chicken kidney sponge, a true ecosystem engineer that could use its filter-feeding power to clean the degraded habitats in and around busy harbors. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 Its ships have hundreds of rooms and suites—not thousands—and slip into harbors that megaships cannot reach, keeping shore days intimate enough that the market vendor, the guide, and the lunch that follows feel like part of the same long afternoon. — Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026 Yachts swarm the harbors of everywhere from Monaco to Mallorca—and cruise ships are a close second. — Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026 Each has its own distinct character—from postcard-perfect villages and bustling harbors to windswept dunes, freshwater ponds, and some of New England’s most spectacular beaches. — Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2026
Verb
The compound harbors multiple restaurants, a full-scale spa, and a lush central courtyard garden. — Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Anne harbors an inner world that, while upsetting for Martha to witness, is nonetheless rich. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 Naftali Bennett, Eisenkot’s likely coalition partner, who also harbors hopes of becoming prime minister, has advocated that Israel pursue total victory in Gaza. — Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 Runway’s approach currently harbors an advantage for dynamic simulation, though. — ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026 The summit harbors the prospect of unexpected personal brushups, a rare setting where 32 heads of state convene in the same place. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 7 July 2026 Long considered one of the finest examples of colonial architecture to be found in Connecticut, the Ebenezer Grant House harbors a pleasant surprise. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026 The Temple Mount movement — a loose coalition of Israeli religious and nationalist organizations — harbors a potentially explosive mix of prophecy and politics that aims to upend some 1,300 years of Muslim control over the third-holiest site in Islam and the holiest one for Jews. — Gabe Joselow, NBC news, 26 June 2026 Like any village worth its weight in cobblestones, quirky characters, and quaint pubs, Three Pines’ titular Quebec town harbors its share of dark secrets. — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbors
  1. ports
  2. shelters
  3. has
  4. houses
  5. protects
  6. anchorages
  7. refuges
  8. holds
Noun
  • The ministry also said that its forces overnight continued to strike Ukrainian ports and vessels delivering cargo for the armed forces.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Since the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has rerouted much of its oil exports through Red Sea ports such as Yanbu.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of ports
Noun
  • Gillian Lange started rescuing animals from area shelters 50 years ago.
    — Joy Benedict, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Debris covered streets and searchers continued to dig in the rubble for possible victims, while more than 40,000 people remained in tents, evacuation centers and makeshift shelters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of shelters
Verb
  • Bristol Myers Squibb, or BMS, has a program to make its drugs available in lower-income countries.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Historically, the ruling party in Nigeria's presidential elections usually has a higher chance of winning when the race features more than one prominent opposition candidate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of has
Verb
  • Lynne Sladky The nearly 10,000-square-foot (900 square meters) Jellyfish Museum houses roughly 20 unique species of jellyfish found in Florida waters and other parts of the world.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Bass has applied for preliminary permits to build a two-floor, 3,000-square-foot office and rental center on the northwest side of the property, which now houses a pumphouse.
    — Mark Dee August 18, Idaho Statesman, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of houses
Verb
  • The indiscriminate nature of the data collection, Garvie says, also raises concerns that the cameras violate the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from being searched unreasonably.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026
  • One dose of measles vaccine protects most people from the disease, but two doses are recommended to improve effectiveness.
    — Kathryn H. Jacobsen, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of protects
Noun
  • Navily gives us reviews of anchorages and where to clear customs.
    — David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Beautiful anchorages aside, her sundeck is the place to be for the solar eclipse, with generous sun pads, a sheltered Jacuzzi and glass windbreak creating uninterrupted sightlines.
    — Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of anchorages
Noun
  • Such spaces create temporary refuges from the digital stream, and allow habits of slowness, concentration, and absorption to become socially reinforced.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Two mountain refuges sit high on the plateau, giving hikers the option to spend the night surrounded by Olympus' alpine scenery.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of refuges
Verb
  • The prospect of a player who can cover both positions holds significant appeal.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Food and drink Level 0, just off the urban boardwalk connecting Putney and Hammersmith Bridges, holds the Riverside Market Food Hall.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of holds

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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 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of harbors for Spanish Speakers

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