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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sanctuaries
Alberto Carvalho, an immigrant himself, has pledged to do all in the district’s power to maintain schools as sanctuaries for children of immigrant families — and activists patrol outside schools to help ensure safe passage to campus for parents and students.
—
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Coral planting in Costa Rica, women’s empowerment projects in Morocco, artisan preservation in Japan and Sweden, and elephant sanctuaries in Botswana are embedded into itineraries.
—Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In keeping with the wellness-first atmosphere, the bathrooms are true sanctuaries carved from limestone and slate, with custom products infused with local lemon, lady’s mantle, and edelweiss.
—Jackie Caradonio, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026
The fast craft crossing takes about two hours, carrying visitors from Cebu’s urban center to Bohol’s countryside, home to the Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuaries.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
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
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, 30 Dec. 2025
Kennedy said his agency is exploring options to retire animals to sanctuaries.
—Madeleine May, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Sailing aboard a small ship with just 36 passengers, the voyage moves between islands and along remote coastlines, accessing sea caves, marine sanctuaries, and quiet anchorages that large cruise ships simply cannot reach.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2025
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Coral planting in Costa Rica, women’s empowerment projects in Morocco, artisan preservation in Japan and Sweden, and elephant sanctuaries in Botswana are embedded into itineraries.
—Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In keeping with the wellness-first atmosphere, the bathrooms are true sanctuaries carved from limestone and slate, with custom products infused with local lemon, lady’s mantle, and edelweiss.
—Jackie Caradonio, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026
The fast craft crossing takes about two hours, carrying visitors from Cebu’s urban center to Bohol’s countryside, home to the Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuaries.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
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
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, 30 Dec. 2025
Kennedy said his agency is exploring options to retire animals to sanctuaries.
—Madeleine May, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Sailing aboard a small ship with just 36 passengers, the voyage moves between islands and along remote coastlines, accessing sea caves, marine sanctuaries, and quiet anchorages that large cruise ships simply cannot reach.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuaries
Noun
-
As Szakin points out, visiting temples and shrines such as Meiji Shrine or Senso-ji in Tokyo is often one of the most affordable ways to experience Japan’s history and culture.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Iran’s Shia shrines already draw millions of pilgrims from Muslim countries.—
Arash Azizi,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nearby barrier islands like Sanibel, Cabbage Key, and Captiva add to the appeal, with scenic bike paths, wildlife refuges, and smaller communities that feel residential rather than resort-driven.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Another priority was to create little refuges for herself.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Outreach workers will give people living in encampments a week’s notice, then conduct daily outreach every day that week, attempting to get the homeless people into shelters or more permanent housing solutions, the mayor said.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Conditions worsened through the day on Tuesday, and evacuation shelters were set up in Woodward and Mooreland, with food provided by the American Red Cross.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The backstory Sitting on the site of a former sugar and coconut plantation from the late 1790s, the sprawling property encompasses the resort, as well as 39 private rental retreats and 80 residential units.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Our history has repeatedly placed us at moral crossroads, asked to decide whether our freedom struggle aligns with broader visions of human dignity or retreats into narrower self-interest.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mamdani said 1,400 placements have been made into shelters and safe havens.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The state hosting the Super Bowl this year, California, is not one of those legal safe havens for sports gambling.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuaries. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
