Definition of sanctumnext
1
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 Make your bedroom a sanctum by keeping it cool, dark, and quiet. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 28 Jan. 2026 Yazid had never before penetrated the sanctum beyond the living room. Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025 The 17 suites of the new hotel are similarly minimalist sanctums made of polished concrete and dark wood, tucked away in a wilderness fantasia and connected to a main building where guests congregate around an infinity pool and elegant restaurant. David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025 What was once the sanctum of private thought had a microphone. Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sanctum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctum
Noun
  • When a boy turns sixteen, he is assigned a sheikh from his hometown and studies with him in a local prayer room at the shrine every weekend.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Earlier this week, Savannah marked one month since her mother's disappearance by visiting the shrine of yellow flowers, cards, and messages left outside of Nancy’s home with her sister Annie and her brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Tom Fletcher, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in a briefing on March 6 that about 100,000 people in Lebanon are seeking refuge from attacks in shelters.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Instead of acting as a refuge, US government bonds took their cue from surging crude prices and yields shot up, with inflation fears taking center stage at a time when prices are already running higher than central banks would like.
    Michael MacKenzie, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Nayara Tented Camp pushes this forward by creating a sanctuary for sloths out of the reforestation of hundreds of native trees, to grow alongside habitats for native frogs, birds, and armadillos.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
  • But gym CrossFit Loop and Stumpy's Pizza would have to close to make way for the church sanctuary.
    Olivia Young, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
  • According to the Cypriot news outlet in-cyprus, an alert sounded Thursday and residents were instructed to remain in place until further official notification, and to move away from windows and take shelter behind or underneath sturdy furniture.
    CBS News, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The rooms are sleek, and a rooftop bar, pool, and executive lounge are modern gems throughout the property, creating a polished downtown retreat.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Andrew has moved to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, while Sarah’s whereabouts are unknown—although she has been rumored to be everywhere from the French Alps to the United Arab Emirates to wellness retreats in both Switzerland and Ireland.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sanctum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctum. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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