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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Scientists believe that warming ocean temperatures, an abundance of prey, and natural protection from predators have led the species to use the harbor as a nursery area. — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026 Only 10 minutes from the scenic harbor of Camden, the landscape is rural without being rural—in the woods, but just a short drive to seaside life. — Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Verb

One week prior, the strait harbored 12 inbound and six outbound transits. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Doggyland also marks the beginning of a dream come true for the actress, who has harbored ambitions of becoming part of the world of children’s animation for two decades. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harbor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harbor

Noun

In the port city of Mokha, residents said rockets hit several buildings, including a hospital.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Moscow and Beijing last week have agreed to expand freight traffic along Arctic shipping corridors, increase services between their ports and deepen cooperation on building polar vessels.

— Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of port

Noun

This secluded outdoor oasis connects seamlessly to multiple entertaining decks, offering a quiet, woodsy refuge and the exact same solitude Reckell sought decades ago.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
The second half was delayed for 20 minutes due to a siren going off in the area alerting them to a possible attack — none materialised — with players and staff having to take refuge in the stadium’s shelter.

— Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of refuge

Verb

Zygielbaum was surprised however that the DOJ reached out only to him, and not the Republican clerk in neighboring Weld County, which also houses a sizable portion of that same congressional district.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
By 2018, the F50 had reportedly been acquired by Chinese billionaire and Instagram influencer Shin Mike Yin, who houses his collection of rare exotics—including a few examples from Pagani and Bugatti—in Dusseldorf, Germany.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of house

Verb

Many local residents don’t realize how much money local governments have been spending to shelter, and provide services for, people experiencing homelessness.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
The official cited the return of a senior Machado adviser who had previously spent an extended period sheltered in the Argentine Embassy in Caracas as an example of the political opening Washington wants to expand.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 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

Verb

Until now, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has insisted the men were still alive and being held by gangs.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
The Boise State defense also produced a turnover-on-downs in the final minutes, batting away several shots at the end zone to hold the Cougars to 10 points.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hold

Browse Nearby Words

harbingers

harbor

harborage

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Harbor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harbor. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of harbor

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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