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as in shrine
a place that is considered sacred (as within a religion) the city of Jerusalem is an important sanctum for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 sanctum In a world without God, the homies are a sanctum. 5. Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 But the maestro was powerless to stifle a burst of gratitude and relief, a communal exhalation, prompted by music, that could only take place in the sanctum of a concert hall. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Oct. 2024 And then there were the Satanists — who welcomed him into their sanctum without judgment. Alex Bhattacharji, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2024 Tehran is taking its time to reveal how, yet again, its innermost sanctum was violated by Israel. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 31 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for sanctum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctum
Noun
  • The crush occurred at the Mata Vaishnav Devi shrine, where tens of thousands of Hindus had gathered to pay respects.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • Rosales juxtaposes a wall of psychedelic party posters, glowing beneath blacklight, with a roadside shrine of flowers and votive candles remembering loss.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • The refuge remains critically important for the long-term survival of imperiled Florida manatees.
    Ragan Whitlock, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
  • Melancholy, mischievous, weighty and hedonistic at once, Jis and his existentialist musings formed an entire universe that acted as a refuge for the weary and delightfully depraved.
    Holly Jones, Variety, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • This routine itself has become a creative sanctuary for me.
    Jeff Benjamin, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025
  • The next election, at every level, will help decide whether our schools remain sanctuaries of learning or become battlegrounds for political theater.
    Alberto M. Carvalho, Time, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • Mosques as bomb shelters Photos shared by Iran’s ISNA News Agency showed bloodied people being helped from the scene of Israeli strikes in downtown Tehran.
    Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
  • Air raid sirens sent Israelis into shelters as missiles streaked across the sky and interceptors rose to meet them, killing at least three people.
    Dan Morrison, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • Originally a private home, it was converted in the 1940s into a corporate retreat, mainly used by the Borg-Warner automotive company.
    Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The situation has sparked backlash from both conservatives, who want companies to stay neutral, and LGBTQ+ advocates, who view the company's stance as a retreat on its support for the community, as many companies appear to reduce their Pride campaigns this year.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sanctum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctum. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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