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
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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
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
Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 28 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
Once healthy and socialized, animals are placed with shelters or sent to sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers.
—Meg Dunn, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
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
Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 28 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
Once healthy and socialized, animals are placed with shelters or sent to sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers.
—Meg Dunn, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuaries
Noun
-
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
-
Mist curls through the jungle canopy as Ubud stirs with roosters crowing and incense rising from its ancient temple shrines.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Some state parks allow hunting, but national wildlife refuges are closed to hunting unless expressly permitted.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Many of these refuges have since been obliterated.—
Ghada Abdulfattah,
The Atlantic,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But then the country reassessed the risk of being so close to the front line, and invested a lot in things like renovating and expanding its network of bomb shelters.—
Teri Schultz,
NPR,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Now Qatar—a state that shelters Hamas leaders, bankrolls Muslim Brotherhood offshoots, and runs influence operations the world over—enjoys the protection of an American guarantee.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And their intention is either pure, uninhibited relaxation or highly personalized holistic retreats that the resort refers to as Wellness Paths.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Some families schedule regular meetings, while others plan retreats that allow time both for recreation and thoughtful dialogue.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Wildlife habitats are certified by the National Wildlife Federation, firefly habitats are certified by Firefly Conservation and Research, and hummingbird havens are certified by the International Hummingbird Society.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Traditional retirement havens like Florida and Arizona scored low in the overall ranking, with the Sunshine State taking the 41st spot and the Grand Canyon State ranking 31st.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sanctuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuaries. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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