den

noun

ˈden How to pronounce den (audio)
Definition of dennext
1
as in lair
the shelter or resting place of a wild animal the foxes hid in their den until the bear finally left the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in hideout
a place where a person goes to hide or to avoid others an abandoned building that is often used as a den by the city's petty criminals

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 den The cameras monitored the activity of females and cubs around the den by collecting thousands of time-lapse images for about 1 month. — Bygennaro Tomma, science.org, 27 Feb. 2025 Three small bedrooms sit in a line off a long hall that leads from the front door, followed by the bathroom, kitchen, and, at the front of the apartment, a large living room or dining room and, beyond a set of French doors, what could be a den, an office, or another bedroom. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 4 Mar. 2025 Ridley Scott directs Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura in the first episode of a tale in which two small-fry thieves rob a drug den and become the target of a relentless kingpin. — Shauna Lyon, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025 Several get small charts offering ideas to inspire how the monster could be used, such as what strange price a hag might have for its secrets or what an owlbear might keep in its den beyond treasure. — Rob Wieland, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for den
Recent Examples of Synonyms for den
  1. lair
  2. hideout
  3. nest
  4. house
  5. burrow
Noun
  • Photo: Columbia County & Northern Dutchess MLS The perfect house for a villain looking for a new lair and is both concerned enough about the environment to want to go electric but not concerned enough to scale down.
    — Clio Chang, Curbed, 20 Feb. 2025
  • According to the authors, the spiders appeared to have left their webs or lairs and migrated to die when exposed to the fungus.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025
Definition of lair
Noun
  • Pakistani forces raid militant hideouts PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- Pakistan's security forces raided two militant hideouts in the country's restive northwest on Saturday, triggering gunbattles that left at least two soldiers and nine militants dead, the military said in a statement.
    — Compiled by Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Many homes of Alawites were looted and then set on fire in different areas, two residents of Syria's coastal region told the AP from their hideouts.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of hideout
Noun
  • Whenever the other eagles in the aviary came near his rock and its nest, Murphy would scream and charge at them, the sanctuary wrote.
    — Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
  • When the researchers approached the bird’s nest, the fuzzy nestling shook its head, flicking it back and forth.
    — ByErik Stokstad, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of nest
Noun
  • The Hollywood premiere has been reduced to photographers and in—house crew only, according to a report in Variety.
    — Marni Rose McFall, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • To Chanel, Naomi Campbell donned an elegant lilac ensemble by the house.
    — Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of house
Noun
  • According to folklore, if Phil sees his shadow and retreats to his burrow, winter will persist for another six weeks.
    — Ashley Parks, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
  • These hatch to produce maggots that burrow, or screw, into the flesh causing intense pain, injury and in some cases death to the affected animal.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Definition of burrow

Browse Nearby Words

demystifying
den
dene
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Cite this Entry

“Den.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/den. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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