1
as in to nestle
to establish or place comfortably or snugly the kids had contentedly ensconced themselves on the couch before the TV happily ensconced in her new home

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2
as in to conceal
to put into a hiding place ensconced the spare house key in a place where no intruder would think to look

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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 ensconce Gallivan left Capitol Hill in 2018 and became firmly ensconced in the private sector. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025 And with the President safely ensconced behind the castle walls, the royal charm offensive has begun in earnest. Amanda Castro hannah Parry shane Croucher jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025 Quick-witted and unapologetically direct, he has long been ensconced in notable New York City circles. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025 His hand, protectively ensconced in a sliding mitt, touched the bag before the tag. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ensconce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensconce
Verb
  • Later, in adulthood, Alice makes miniatures for a living, inspired by artist Joseph Cornell’s boxes and the tiny fairies her mother owned, nestled in the head of a pin.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Spread in one layer, nestling the chicken, skin-side up, between the tomatoes and chickpeas.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Though the structures appear to only be heads, many of them have full bodies that have been concealed by sediment over the centuries.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Thick and fast-growing, the greenery conceals a chain-link fence that helps with crowd control between the stands and field.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The ex-councilor pleaded guilty on May 5 to two of six charges — one count of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning a federal program — that had been lodged against her in a December 2024 federal indictment.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The latest ceasefire quickly showed signs of fragility as both sides lodged complaints about how the other was handling the rollout of phase one, but the agreement has continued to hold as of Tuesday.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the end, Kate convinces the prime minister to bury both the sub and the Poseidon in concrete on the ocean floor, instead of it getting taken away.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • To detect these elusive particles, scientists are working to build enormous instruments (neutrino observatories) in the quietest environments possible, such as deep underwater or buried in ice.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In late June, the building is perched amid lush green trees that cover the mountain’s base.
    Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025
  • According to Carscoops, early renderings reveal a low-slung front end, circular headlights, a modest front grille, and a compact cockpit, complemented by wing mirrors perched high on the A-pillars.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Viruses, as well as small bits of vegetation and invasive zebra mussel larvae, can hide in the plumbing of your rig.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • And don’t spend the evening apologizing or hiding in the kitchen.
    Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Moog’s lightweight turret, with its focus on mobility, commonality, and rapid adaptability, positions the company as a key contributor to that evolving vision for next-generation air defense.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Jenny Taylor, vice president of marketing for Salomon North America, told FN that West Hollywood fits with the brand’s focus on positioning itself at the intersection of culture, lifestyle, and performance.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His seventh-inning shot settled in the left-center bleachers and crushed the Brewers, who had finally chased him from the mound by getting two runners on in the top of the inning, only to go scoreless anyway when reliever Alex Vesia escaped the jam.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • To get the $300 in bonus bets, your initial $5 bet has to settle as a win, and your wager must be on a market that has odds of -500 or longer.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ensconce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensconce. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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