as in refuge
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
the sudden fierce storm forced us to run to the nearest shelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
2
as in to house
to provide with living quarters or shelter
sheltered the troops in tents until permanent barracks could be built
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 shelter
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Mahdi has been living in a temporary shelter in the city of Tyre since 2024, after fleeing her home in the last major war.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 3 May 2026
Under the blue skies of the Florida Everglades, dozens of protesters, sheltering from the sun under blue canopies, gathered outside the gates of Alligator Alcatraz on Friday to commemorate International Labor Day by calling for the shutdown of the controversial detention center.
—Churchill Ndonwie
may 2, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shelter
Noun
If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Mahdi has been living in a temporary shelter in the city of Tyre since 2024, after fleeing her home in the last major war.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 3 May 2026
Under the blue skies of the Florida Everglades, dozens of protesters, sheltering from the sun under blue canopies, gathered outside the gates of Alligator Alcatraz on Friday to commemorate International Labor Day by calling for the shutdown of the controversial detention center.
—Churchill Ndonwie
may 2, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shelter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelter
Noun
-
Mystic provided an annual refuge for girls still searching for independence, and many who had spent time at Mystic felt relief to see the camp remain in family hands with a new generation of Eastlands.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
-
Oystershell scale refers to small insects, resembling their namesake in appearance, that take refuge on lilac bark.—
Emily Leahy,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Even without federal limits on chemicals like PFAS, states have the authority to protect public health and the environment.—
DYLAN JACKSON,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
Doing so, officials say, helps protect not only those rolling up their sleeves but those who cannot get vaccinated, such as the very youngest children.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Housing advocates maintain the policy kept families housed, noting a significant spike in evictions after the moratorium ended.—
Michael Casey,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
Most were last housed within just a few miles of here.—
Zeynep Portway,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The whole thing feels more like a seaside sanctuary for people who’ve outgrown the noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The results leave St Pauli in 16th and in the relative sanctuary of the play-off place, with Wolfsburg one point behind and Heidenheim still bottom, four points further back.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
People are camping in cities, and lawmakers should support cities’ management of that situation.—
Jeremy Wolff,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
According to both Pasadena Now and NBC4, witnesses who were camped outside described seeing dozens of officers arrive at the location and swarm the building.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The amenities a property actually offers — not the marketing language — separate a true luxury wellness retreat from a spa weekend in disguise.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Without that closing piece, even the most luxurious retreat risks becoming a one-time experience rather than a lasting reset.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The building will have a gym, a gross motor room with play equipment for the youngest students, a two-story library with reading nooks, a learning hub able to accommodate two classes at a time, and an outdoor area with patio furniture.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This setup is ultra-welcoming and can accommodate a large crew—bring on the s'mores and bonfires this summer.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It’s packed with innovation and extravagance and black-tone extras, wheels to roof.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
-
Spanning more than 4,000 square feet, the flat-roofed, single-story house is designed to frame its countryside setting, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors opening onto terraces and wide rural views.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelter. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
