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 rush to secure sites near key transmission lines for battery energy storage systems, or BESS, has led developers to places like Acton, California, a bucolic Los Angeles County town of horse ranches and animal sanctuaries.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Guests stay among 86 casitas, cozy sanctuaries with vibrant Mexican textiles and terra cotta tile floors.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
But Creamsicle, dancing for his hens in New York, is living proof of what becomes possible when sanctuaries come together — and a reminder that even the most traumatized animals can find joy in a second chance.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Farm Sanctuary acknowledged the sanctuaries that opened their doors, including Good Sprout Rescue and Sanctuary, Sweet Peace Farm Sanctuary, Rooster Haus Rescue, Haven Hill Animal Sanctuary, Wild Spirit Farm Rescue, Lily’s Safe Haven and Zen Hen Farm Sanctuary.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
The effort brought together sanctuaries from across the country, including Rooster Haus Rescue, Haven Hill Animal Sanctuary, Wild Spirit Farm Rescue, Lily’s Safe Haven and Zen Hen Farm Sanctuary.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
With full kitchens, massive stone fireplaces, and en-suite sanctuaries for every guest, they are thoughtfully designed for multi-generational travel.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
In the two decades that followed, several Quaker, Presbyterian, Catholic and Jewish congregations across America and Canada used their houses of worship as sanctuaries for Central American refugees who were fleeing civil war, government repression and genocide.
—Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Scorcio has researched sanctuaries and has mixed feelings about them, noting that tortoises are monogamous and mate for life.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Guests stay among 86 casitas, cozy sanctuaries with vibrant Mexican textiles and terra cotta tile floors.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
But Creamsicle, dancing for his hens in New York, is living proof of what becomes possible when sanctuaries come together — and a reminder that even the most traumatized animals can find joy in a second chance.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Farm Sanctuary acknowledged the sanctuaries that opened their doors, including Good Sprout Rescue and Sanctuary, Sweet Peace Farm Sanctuary, Rooster Haus Rescue, Haven Hill Animal Sanctuary, Wild Spirit Farm Rescue, Lily’s Safe Haven and Zen Hen Farm Sanctuary.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
The effort brought together sanctuaries from across the country, including Rooster Haus Rescue, Haven Hill Animal Sanctuary, Wild Spirit Farm Rescue, Lily’s Safe Haven and Zen Hen Farm Sanctuary.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
With full kitchens, massive stone fireplaces, and en-suite sanctuaries for every guest, they are thoughtfully designed for multi-generational travel.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
In the two decades that followed, several Quaker, Presbyterian, Catholic and Jewish congregations across America and Canada used their houses of worship as sanctuaries for Central American refugees who were fleeing civil war, government repression and genocide.
—Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Scorcio has researched sanctuaries and has mixed feelings about them, noting that tortoises are monogamous and mate for life.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuaries
Noun
-
Nearby Hakone makes for a lovely excursion, home to centuries-old onsen, cute shopping streets, winding mountain roads, lakes and shrines.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Kyoto has some 2,000 shrines and temples.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The park preserves not only the trees, but also one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Cemeteries, in particular, may serve as critical refuges for pollinators at a time when many natural habitats are disappearing.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new law will prevent the state from placing children in unlicensed homes like shelters, hotels or offices.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
When experienced and motivated staff can continue to work in the homeless response system, more people are placed into housing and spend less time in shelters.—
David Rich,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mammoth bluffs followed by last-minute retreats only deepened perceptions of inconsistency, further eroding deterrence.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Dubious precautions Mounting interest in the potential benefits of psychedelic drugs has led to a rise in psychedelic retreats around the world.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Independent bookstores are magical havens for the next generation of readers—fostering a community that goes beyond the pages.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Iran, alongside Russia and China, has mastered sanctions evasion, using shadow fleets, alternative payment systems, and loosely regulated financial havens to move capital beyond Western oversight.—
Gaurav Srivastava,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuaries. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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