as in shelters
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
the embassy serves as an asylum for that country's nationals in need of help
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Recent Examples of asylums
For example, sociologist Erving Goffman showed that the way care is structured in asylums shaped how patients are treated.
—
Jennifer Singh, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
Such a light as this should shine only on murders and public crime, or along the corridors of lunatic asylums.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Many former asylums are now macabre tourist attractions, whose treatment of their subject matter can range from the sensitive to the sensationalist.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
But worst of all is the knowledge that all of these terrors were trademarks of the asylums that stowed away those with mental health conditions well into the 20th century.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Both were institutionalized and died in asylums, her under mysterious circumstances, him at the age of 26.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Over the past decade a range of politicians and public figures have called to rebuild asylums in order to address the country’s mental health crisis.
—Jay Neugeboren, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2025
Jennifer Singh, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
Such a light as this should shine only on murders and public crime, or along the corridors of lunatic asylums.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Many former asylums are now macabre tourist attractions, whose treatment of their subject matter can range from the sensitive to the sensationalist.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
But worst of all is the knowledge that all of these terrors were trademarks of the asylums that stowed away those with mental health conditions well into the 20th century.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Both were institutionalized and died in asylums, her under mysterious circumstances, him at the age of 26.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Over the past decade a range of politicians and public figures have called to rebuild asylums in order to address the country’s mental health crisis.
—Jay Neugeboren, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asylums
Noun
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Juiz de Fora's City Hall said in a statement that around 600 families living in endangered areas were about to be relocated to local schools improvised as shelters and that the city experienced double the rain expected for February.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Permanent supportive housing is a long-term solution that not only breaks the cycle of homelessness for the individual but also provides stability to the community by reducing the numbers of people forced to live on the streets and in shelters.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to Grow Jungles, jaguar sightings near the Texas border encouraged discussions around reintroducing the animal to wildlife refuges.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Manatee Season Central Florida from December through March When Florida waters start to cool in the winter, mammalian manatees make their way to warm refuges like freshwater springs and power plant outflows.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most visitors spend a full day or even two days exploring the trail, allowing time to stop at scenic overlooks, embark on wildlife drives, and visit the many beaches and sanctuaries.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
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Alberto Carvalho, an immigrant himself, has pledged to do all in the district’s power to maintain schools as sanctuaries for children of immigrant families — and activists patrol outside schools to help ensure safe passage to campus for parents and students.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The center often hosts lectures, meditations, and retreats as well.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
-
As his career expanded across continents, so did his real estate holdings—from historic London residences to discreet Tribeca apartments and sleek California retreats.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Attacks on other Gulf states Qatar and Bahrain also came under attack, piercing the kingdoms’ polished image as luxurious havens in an unstable region.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
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The group later held a symbolic disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq — where its fighters had long found safe havens during the insurgency — and burned dozens of weapons in a cauldron before starting to withdraw its remaining fighters from Turkey to Iraq.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Asylums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asylums. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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