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
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
As part of this act of atonement, four bulls and four heifers are slaughtered at the sanctuaries of the nymphs, and their bodies are left in a grove.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Nicole Hollis has designed rarified sanctuaries for a discerning clientele around the world, creating statement-making spaces rife with collectible design and artwork.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
The decision to inaugurate the first urban Six Senses property in Rome was partially driven by the owner’s love of all things Italian and is part of a new drive to bring sanctuaries to bigger cities.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
That brightening would affect the entire planet, including remote locations that are now considered dark sky sanctuaries, where astronomers build their sky-observing machines.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Best International Hotels Global sanctuaries from Bali to Belize designed to anchor you in nature.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
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
As part of this act of atonement, four bulls and four heifers are slaughtered at the sanctuaries of the nymphs, and their bodies are left in a grove.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Nicole Hollis has designed rarified sanctuaries for a discerning clientele around the world, creating statement-making spaces rife with collectible design and artwork.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
The decision to inaugurate the first urban Six Senses property in Rome was partially driven by the owner’s love of all things Italian and is part of a new drive to bring sanctuaries to bigger cities.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
That brightening would affect the entire planet, including remote locations that are now considered dark sky sanctuaries, where astronomers build their sky-observing machines.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Best International Hotels Global sanctuaries from Bali to Belize designed to anchor you in nature.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuaries
Noun
-
Kyoto has some 2,000 shrines and temples.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The concierge specializes in Kyoto’s cultural events, and can help access exclusive ochaya with an interpreter, score tickets to the theater, book dinner reservations, a huge help in Kyoto, or help arrange meetings with monks and priests at the city’s Shinto shrines and temples.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What’s astonishing, though, is that at the birth of urban parkland, these refuges from urban chaos were designed with such enduring sophistication.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Why perpetuate this problem in city parks — our best refuges from the danger, noise and congestion of city streets?—
Jon Orcutt,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At least 800 evacuations have taken place in the county and five shelters have opened, as the fire threatens 300 more homes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said.—
Jeff Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
His posts reflect those realities, from running to shelters to supporting friends whose family members are serving on the front lines.—
Ariella Noveck,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On Bazaruto and Benguerra islands, ultra-luxe retreats have quietly welcomed in-the-know travelers in recent years, as Mozambique's tourism has steadily increased.—
Ali Pantony,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
-
From the coastal cliffs of Costa Rica to open-air Indonesian retreats, luxury villa rentals span locales and design sensibilities—if something rustic and Tuscan is not for you, something modernist and Mexican just may be.—
Angela Tafoya,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Safe havens, which would typically sell-off in a de-escalation, also found support.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Both are retirement havens that have attracted residents from the Front Range with lower living costs, and in the case of Grand Junction, a more temperate climate.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuaries. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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