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
Such a light as this should shine only on murders and public crime, or along the corridors of lunatic asylums.
—
Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Conditions varied, but some asylums gained reputations as brutal, overcrowded warehouses where patients were neglected and restrained.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
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
Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Conditions varied, but some asylums gained reputations as brutal, overcrowded warehouses where patients were neglected and restrained.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asylums
Noun
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Places to shelter can include storm shelters, basements or interior hallways without windows.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
Santa Clara County’s most recent homelessness report found families with children were more likely to land in shelters or temporary housing, leaving older adults without children more likely to remain unsheltered.—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Under a 99-year agreement renegotiated in 2020, the property is owned by the Army but managed as one of the nation’s 573 national wildlife refuges managed by USFWS.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
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The Family Fun Adventure Package includes ziplining, exploring wildlife refuges, beaches, and waterfalls, as well as S'mores at the firepit, and salsa lessons.—
Brandon Withrow,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Read on for a peek into her personal sanctuaries.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
15 June 2026
-
Bald eagles, owls, hawks, falcons and vultures are all among the birds of prey visitors can see when visiting the 3-acre property on Lake Sybelia, which is one of 55 Audubon centers and sanctuaries nationwide.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Eileen Underwood leads Magic Kingdom’s Security team, which conducts the flag retreats.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
Where to Stay Ojai has a wide range of lodging options, ranging from colorful, family-friendly stays to upscale retreats.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Forbes Travel Guide’s Best Hotel Bars For 2026 Hotel bars are havens for travelers—locals, too—and to honor the watering holes on the top shelf, Forbes Travel Guide recently released its 2026 Hotel Star Bars, which spans 18 countries, from Singapore to Scotland.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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In the late 1800s, 10 houses of refuge were built along Florida’s Atlantic Coast as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Asylums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asylums. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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