SHELTER Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

shelter 1 of 2

noun

ˈshel-tər

Definition of shelter

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

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shelter

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect

to be or provide a shelter for the abandoned barn shelters a colony of stray cats

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expose

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

eject
evict

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

Noun

Marxt filmed fires, firefighters, inside a shelter (with a sign highlighting that there was no access for media) and more. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 In November 2021, crew members took shelter inside their spacecraft after a Russian anti-satellite weapons test created a dangerous cloud of debris. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Verb

Employees not involved in emergency response or shutdown operations were instructed to shelter as a precaution. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026 Amplified by Ted Lasso‘s pandemic release, Mohammed felt sheltered from much of the onslaught of attention. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shelter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelter

Noun

Since then, presidents, royalty, and movie stars have all sought refuge in the hallowed hotel.

— Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
Previously, 2021’s Dune culminated in the brutal defeat of House Atreides by rival House Harkonnen, with Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), fleeing to the desert and taking refuge among the Fremen.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of refuge

Verb

Don’t miss the 153-year-old Point Arena Lighthouse, where a climb up the 115-foot tower yields birds-eye views and the Signal Museum houses the original Fresnel lens.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
The historic building that houses the restaurant used to be an orphanage for young girls, and the dining space was once a classroom.

— Jessica Jungbauer, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of house

Verb

Thousands of people marched through the city during the day, and at the end a few hundred camped out in Rossio, an iconic square in downtown Lisbon.

— Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
With a few exceptions, practices for base-camping teams weren’t open to fans, which could have altered their decision to remain in Kansas City.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of camp

Noun

The 23,000-square-foot spa is a welcome retreat and unlike anything else in the area and the hotel's commitment to being pet-friendly is notable.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
There is also a third-floor guest retreat with a lounge, roof deck and views of the Long Island Sound.

— Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

Brick-and-mortar facilities also tend to have more regular staff who are trained to understand accommodating disabled guests within their specific location.

— Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
These two areas occupy nearly the entire length of the home and offer the space needed to accommodate large parties without overwhelming smaller gatherings.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of accommodate

Verb

The Boise City Council on Tuesday passed a new law designed to limit food and shelter for the animals, marking the council’s first formal step to combat the spread of Norway and roof rats in the Treasure Valley.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
The Rest and Relax Inn in Pensacola, Florida, was surrounded by piles of debris after it was stripped of roofing materials during a heavy hit from the hurricane last night.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of roof

Browse Nearby Words

shells out

shelter

sheltered

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Shelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelter. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of shelter

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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