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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And when women from shelters do try to get preventative care, they're often faced with a variety of challenges.—
Vanessa Romo,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2026
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Montene Daniel rode the bus to the park to meet with the TaskForce for Ending Homelessness, a group that connects homeless individuals to shelters.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And while the city is already rich in green spaces like the Jardín del Turia—Spain’s largest urban park—new biodiversity corridors in the Turia Garden and community spaces such as Jardín Trini Simó are vital green refuges during the summer heat.—
Siobhan Reid,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
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The National Wildlife Refuge System, for example, has 42 pages worth of regulations specific to individual refuges.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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After years of minimalism and raw finishes, people crave comfort and warmth, especially in a post-pandemic world where homes serve as sanctuaries.—
Farima Ferguson,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
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The guest rooms skew coastal, with pale wood accents and white walls, while bathrooms are true sanctuaries, complete with soaking tubs and thick robes.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In Southern California, Ojai is a serene haven of spiritual retreats, boutique shopping, and lush orange groves.—
Amplified Content Studio,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
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These natural springs can be enjoyed at traditional properties like Fujiya Ryokan or at modern retreats such as Amanemu, where guests have access to spa onsens and private onsen baths in every suite and villa.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, safe havens like gold sharply rallied.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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Prison overseers intended the yards to be safe havens from the cutthroat prison politics that beset most main yards.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Asylums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asylums. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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