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as in refuge
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
the marshland has been set aside as a sanctuary for shorebirds along that section of the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sanctuary
Near the sanctuary is Little Florida Beach, a wide-open beach lined with grassy dunes.
—
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
Even with that accolade displayed proudly at the back of the historic sanctuary, Marshall and his congregation know their efforts will never truly stop.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
Determined to reinvent himself as a competitive free diver, he is drawn to the depths of the ocean as a sanctuary from his inner turmoil.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
And similarly, my mom was born in 1963 in Alabama, where four little girls were killed in a church, the sanctuary, the place where you’re supposed to feel safest.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sanctuary
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
Even with that accolade displayed proudly at the back of the historic sanctuary, Marshall and his congregation know their efforts will never truly stop.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
Determined to reinvent himself as a competitive free diver, he is drawn to the depths of the ocean as a sanctuary from his inner turmoil.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
And similarly, my mom was born in 1963 in Alabama, where four little girls were killed in a church, the sanctuary, the place where you’re supposed to feel safest.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sanctuary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuary
Noun
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Its architecture and interior design likewise reinforced sumo’s connection to religion through aesthetic nods to the Shinto shrines where some tournaments had previously been held.—
Joshua Hunt,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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Hundreds of videos circulating online from these ceremonies show parents, children, friends, wives and husbands of the victims dancing to upbeat music playing at mosques and holy shrine sites as a dramatic representation of their grief.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And, showcasing their awesome, frightening power, one avalanche derailed a train in Switzerland on Monday, injuring five on board, while another swept through a refuge on a French mountainside earlier this month, shattering windows and dumping snowdrifts inside the building’s kitchen.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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Amid its evolution into a shopping and dining powerhouse, the neighborhood long craved a calm refuge.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Islamabad blames Pakistani Taliban militants for much of that violence – and accuses Kabul of giving them shelter on its territory.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The latest addition to Niseko’s already thriving hotel scene, Higashiyama Niseko Village stands out as an intimate retreat in a prime ski spot.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
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This stylish retreat on the Rangitahi Peninsula is just a 15-minute stroll from the town center and is surrounded by walking tracks that take you from bush to sea in moments.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuary. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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