1
as in shrines
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
as in refuges
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 sanctuaries
And while some, including PETA, have called for the remaining marine animals to be relocated to seaside sanctuaries, there is a notable lack of such sanctuaries.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
And despite headlines about shootings inside sanctuaries, 71% of homicides occurred outside – in parking lots, courtyards or on steps – when people were gathering or leaving.
—James Densley, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2025
The resort’s remoteness meant that mainland safaris to baobab forests and lemur sanctuaries required a (pricy) helicopter hop, but there was enough to keep us busy on Nosy Ankao and its neighboring islets.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2025
Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Overnight, our homes had to function as offices, gyms, classrooms, and sanctuaries.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2025
In my opinion, trying to rehome them to local sanctuaries and adopters would be the safest option for the animals.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
Suites have floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces, plus intelligent blackout systems that create ideal sleeping sanctuaries.
—Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Even before the impact studies were produced, the government had already invited expressions of interest for felling trees and moved wildlife sanctuaries to other locations despite local opposition.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
And despite headlines about shootings inside sanctuaries, 71% of homicides occurred outside – in parking lots, courtyards or on steps – when people were gathering or leaving.
—James Densley, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2025
The resort’s remoteness meant that mainland safaris to baobab forests and lemur sanctuaries required a (pricy) helicopter hop, but there was enough to keep us busy on Nosy Ankao and its neighboring islets.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2025
Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Overnight, our homes had to function as offices, gyms, classrooms, and sanctuaries.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2025
In my opinion, trying to rehome them to local sanctuaries and adopters would be the safest option for the animals.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
Suites have floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces, plus intelligent blackout systems that create ideal sleeping sanctuaries.
—Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Even before the impact studies were produced, the government had already invited expressions of interest for felling trees and moved wildlife sanctuaries to other locations despite local opposition.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuaries
Noun
-
In September and October, temperatures are generally still agreeable enough to explore Tokyo's incredible parks and shrines, including Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and Ueno Park.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The alleged crimes include graffiti left on churches and religious shrines of different denominations in Bankers Hill, Golden Hill, Hillcrest and North Park, police said.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But others argue that support for transgender people has infringed on the rights of biological women and their safety in spaces such as hospitals, prisons and domestic violence refuges.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Some state parks allow hunting, but national wildlife refuges are closed to hunting unless expressly permitted.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These findings emphasize that both behavioral and practical life circumstances—such as changes in housing or personal capacity—play a major role in why people surrender their pets to shelters.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
After weeks of searching with the help of cameras, drones, and animal shelters, Francine was finally found and joyfully reunited with store workers.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tucked between Sedona's iconic red sandstone cliffs and the babbling Oak Creek, L’Auberge de Sedona has long been considered one of Arizona's most inviting retreats.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Frank makes a pass, and, in a move that is part Faith, part Keaton, Faith retreats.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Both gold and bitcoin are being treated as safe havens in a market shaped by inflation and policy risk.—
Krysta Escobar,Jill Schneider,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Gold posted its strongest quarterly return since 1986 during the first quarter of 2025, with demand for safe havens spilling into other metals like silver and platinum.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuaries. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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