as in ravines
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
the cattle, once they were cornered in the defile, were quickly rounded up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in pollutes
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
supplies of meat that had been defiled by maggots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violates
to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect
art conservators were careful not to do anything that might defile the holy relic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiles
Noun
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The gorge’s steep ravines and lush vegetation create an atmospheric setting that feels almost mythical.—
Praveen Moman,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Dec. 2024 -
Then their decayed remains began to turn up in the dense national forest that surrounds Placerville, dumped behind rocks or deep in ravines veiled by towering pines.—
Jessica Garrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Processing rare earths often involves the use of solvents, which can produce toxic waste that pollutes the soil, water, and atmosphere.—
Jason Neely and Eric Onstad,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
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Strong winds fan the fast-moving fires and smoke pollutes the air.—
Ignacio Calderon,
USA TODAY,
9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Incentives could also encompass partial sanctions relief, with snap-back clauses to reimpose them if Russia violates the terms of the deal.—
Samuel Charap,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Dec. 2024
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Major publishing companies and authors are arguing that a federal judge should deny Florida’s request to dismiss a lawsuit over the removal of school library books, saying a controversial state law violates First Amendment rights.—
Jim Saunders,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The spray is applied to brush and trees in canyons and open spaces and around homeless encampments and evacuation corridors.—
Tyler Faurot,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
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Named for the pale slickrock that dominates much of the road’s terrain, the driving is a mix of sandy washes, rough rocky stretches and the aforementioned slickrock, which will occasionally take you to the edge of canyons.—
Graham Averill,
Outside Online,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Despite being a shameless queue jumper who seems to slide through ski lift crowds like water, she's clearly respected and adored by countless people across the valleys.—
Toby Skinner,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Dec. 2024
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Advertisement Temperatures on Christmas Day will be in the mid-60s, possibly reaching low 70s in some of the valleys.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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According to the same source, Locatelli also completed a game-high 127 passes and created two clear scoring opportunities for his team-mates before using a post-match interview to credit the impact Tudor’s arrival has had.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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Some answers were offered at the SDSU practice field during Saturday evening’s scrimmage, which was highlighted by 60- and 70-yard passes from junior transfer quarterback Jayden Denegal to senior transfer wide receiver Myles Kitt-Denton.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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