as in shelters
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
the embassy serves as an asylum for that country's nationals in need of help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 asylums
For example, sociologist Erving Goffman showed that the way care is structured in asylums shaped how patients are treated.
—
Jennifer Singh, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
Such a light as this should shine only on murders and public crime, or along the corridors of lunatic asylums.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Many former asylums are now macabre tourist attractions, whose treatment of their subject matter can range from the sensitive to the sensationalist.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
But worst of all is the knowledge that all of these terrors were trademarks of the asylums that stowed away those with mental health conditions well into the 20th century.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Both were institutionalized and died in asylums, her under mysterious circumstances, him at the age of 26.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Over the past decade a range of politicians and public figures have called to rebuild asylums in order to address the country’s mental health crisis.
—Jay Neugeboren, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2025
Jennifer Singh, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
Such a light as this should shine only on murders and public crime, or along the corridors of lunatic asylums.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Many former asylums are now macabre tourist attractions, whose treatment of their subject matter can range from the sensitive to the sensationalist.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
But worst of all is the knowledge that all of these terrors were trademarks of the asylums that stowed away those with mental health conditions well into the 20th century.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Both were institutionalized and died in asylums, her under mysterious circumstances, him at the age of 26.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Over the past decade a range of politicians and public figures have called to rebuild asylums in order to address the country’s mental health crisis.
—Jay Neugeboren, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asylums
Noun
-
Donate functional toys no longer played with to shelters, thrift stores, daycares, or other local organizations in need.—
Kaylei Fear,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
-
With a capacity of 30 beds across the overnight shelters, Interfaith was forced to turn some people away due to capacity limits.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nearby barrier islands like Sanibel, Cabbage Key, and Captiva add to the appeal, with scenic bike paths, wildlife refuges, and smaller communities that feel residential rather than resort-driven.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Another priority was to create little refuges for herself.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Coral planting in Costa Rica, women’s empowerment projects in Morocco, artisan preservation in Japan and Sweden, and elephant sanctuaries in Botswana are embedded into itineraries.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
In keeping with the wellness-first atmosphere, the bathrooms are true sanctuaries carved from limestone and slate, with custom products infused with local lemon, lady’s mantle, and edelweiss.—
Jackie Caradonio,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Over the years, the pair has assembled a real estate portfolio anchored by a compound in Calabasas, California, and complemented by everything from island retreats in Hawaii to suburban hideaways in Maryland.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The group holds yearly men’s retreats in cities such as Orlando, Tampa, and Atlanta.—
Kamal Morgan
February 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mamdani said 1,400 placements have been made into shelters and safe havens.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The state hosting the Super Bowl this year, California, is not one of those legal safe havens for sports gambling.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Asylums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asylums. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
