1
as in shrine
a place that is considered sacred (as within a religion) by law, anyone who sought refuge in a religious sanctuary was safe from arrest by the civil authorities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2

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 sanctuary The estate includes four combined parcels of land assembled over the years to create a one-of-a-kind secluded ocean sanctuary. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2025 The fugitive runs for it, crashing through clotheslines made of jump ropes, crashing on the floor several times, climbing the bike racks and leaping over the wall to his secret sanctuary. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025 The otters, a vulnerable species, were photographed in family groups near the sanctuary’s waterfront. Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 The sanctuary was remodeled for the 50th anniversary. Enquirer Staff Report, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sanctuary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuary
Noun
  • In a ceremony broadcast live on Facebook, hundreds of Catholics can be seen singing, praying and honoring the shrine by laying yellow sunflowers as offerings.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Japanese politicians under other Administrations, including Ishiba’s, have also visited the shrine, as do thousands of Japanese people every year, which has drawn criticism from China.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Legendary actor Marlon Brando bought this French Polynesia refuge in the 1960s—after filming Mutiny on the Bounty nearby—and his estate has transformed it into an eco-luxe private island paradise.
    Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Charlotte had been her refuge from the violence abroad, but now Zarutska lost her life there.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Eighteen students who fled from the shooting took shelter at a home just down the road, after an initial group of them pounded on the door asking for help, resident Don Cygan told 9News.
    Katie Langford, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Consider this an opportunity to heal, rest, retreat and practice more mindfulness.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Recorded in home studios and retreats filled with friendships and free-spirited experimentation, Cripple Crow felt more like a collective effort than a solo project.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sanctuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuary. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sanctuary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!