variants
also sancta
1
as in shrines
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
Relevance
2
as in refuges
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
used the cabin in the woods as a sanctum from the commotion and interference of his family
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sanctums
By then, Israeli intelligence had planted a bomb in a Revolutionary Guards guest house that, in addition to killing the political leader of Hamas in Gaza, also demonstrated its ability to penetrate the innermost sanctums of the Iranian regime.
—
Richard Hall, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
His primary qualification for infiltrating the innermost sanctums of Trumpworld would seem to be a vast capacity for cozying up to friends of the Donald.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Richard Hall, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
His primary qualification for infiltrating the innermost sanctums of Trumpworld would seem to be a vast capacity for cozying up to friends of the Donald.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctums
Noun
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Less celebrated for its green spaces than Kyoto, Tokyo still has an impressive number of parks that are well worth visiting, many attached to venerable temples and shrines.—
Stephen Kelly,
TheWeek,
26 Mar. 2026
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Many are used as shrines for meditation and rituals and are visited by tourists and pilgrims.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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Aire Ancient Baths A subterranean theater of candlelit pools and vaulted brick, Aire remains one of the city’s few strictly phone-and-camera-free refuges.—
Amy Louise Bailey,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
Noun
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SaveABunny partners with other shelters and is often the last resort.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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In their filing in Sacramento Superior Court, the residents accuse city officials of violating Measure O, which mandates that interim shelters sit more than 500 feet away from bodies of water or streams.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But unlike at some jungle retreats, which demand a certain ability to rough it, even the most spider-averse will feel at home here—kids in particular.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
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Dozens of people who have participated in retreats in the US and abroad responded to a CNN callout about psilocybin retreats.—
Natalia V. Osipova,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For Gulf economies, being dollar-pegged remains a major risk on the inflation front, Iqbal said, adding that traditional safe havens — namely gold — have displayed characteristics more akin to a risk asset, shaped by the strengthening dollar and rising interest rate expectations.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
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New York — The war in Iran and the spike in energy prices have rattled global markets, impacting not just stocks but also safe havens like bonds, gold and currencies.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The law included tens of billions of dollars in extra funding for various DHS functions, including money for immigration enforcement, grants to state agencies, security for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics, and protection for the president's residences.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Designed for fewer than 300 guests, the sleek vessel features an infinity pool and staterooms that feel more like polished floating residences than standard ship cabins, with Frette linens, double-vanity marble bathrooms and walk-in showers roomy enough to suggest nobody had to compromise.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctums. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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