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 Another en-suite bedroom, a laundry room, and a wraparound terrace complete the level, while three more bedrooms, a den with a kitchenette, two full baths, a powder room, and a secondary laundry room off a separate entrance occupy the fifth floor. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026 Continue reading … BROKEN COVENANT — Javier Milei blasts UN as 'useless' den of 'fatally arrogant parasites' in raucous speech. — FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 The next Sam Altman or Elon Musk is probably spending their formative young adult years in one of these debaucherous dens. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 Sep. 2026 Café den Turk, popular with locals, is the city’s oldest bar, dating from the 13th century, but its simple approach doesn’t trade on that. — Adrienne Wyper, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for den
Recent Examples of Synonyms for den
  1. lair
  2. hideout
  3. nest
  4. house
  5. burrow
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 strikes targeted militant hideouts at two locations, with initial reports indicating 22 militants had been killed, Pakistan's Ministry of Information said.
    — MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Ben Jones as Cooter Davenport Ben Jones played Cooter Davenport, the lovable mechanic who was always ready to help the Duke boys out of a jam, with a garage that served as both a workplace and hideout when needed.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of hideout
Noun
  • The island’s Public Works Department is working to destroy the nest as a public safety threat, officials said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Pottery, perhaps inspired by mud-nest-building wasps, was a vital stage of human development.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of nest
Noun
  • He was arrested in Baltimore in March 2025 after picking up his then-5-year-old son, who has autism and other disabilities, from his grandmother's house, according to court papers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The hotel’s most unusual feature is its feng shui Japanese Zen garden, complete with an azumaya (open tea house) and cascading waterfall.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of house
Noun
  • Rodent burrows, in particular, Taylor said, are something people should watch out for.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Skunk Tracks Skunks will leave five-toed prints to and from their burrows.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026
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 9 Oct. 2026.

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