as in shelters
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
hunting is strictly forbidden in the wildlife refuge
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in protects
to be or provide a shelter for
a nation with a long, honorable history of refuging political asylum seekers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of refuges
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
From implementing congressional direction to revise the controversial Endangered Species Act to managing national wildlife refuges in changing landscapes to combating invasive species with new tools, Nesvik’s task is immense.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 14 Jan. 2026
Some state parks allow hunting, but national wildlife refuges are closed to hunting unless expressly permitted.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Lodging options vary from winter campsites and rustic cottages, to cozy micro-refuges and larger chalets.
—Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
But others argue that support for transgender people has infringed on the rights of biological women and their safety in spaces such as hospitals, prisons and domestic violence refuges.
—Reuters, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
Many of these refuges have since been obliterated.
—Ghada Abdulfattah, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
As the sun has grown subtly brighter over this span, if this supercontinent struggled with high carbon dioxide levels like its Pangaean forebear did, then this would be an inimically hot world to animals, except for lone refuges fringing its polar far reaches.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
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
From implementing congressional direction to revise the controversial Endangered Species Act to managing national wildlife refuges in changing landscapes to combating invasive species with new tools, Nesvik’s task is immense.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 14 Jan. 2026
Some state parks allow hunting, but national wildlife refuges are closed to hunting unless expressly permitted.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Lodging options vary from winter campsites and rustic cottages, to cozy micro-refuges and larger chalets.
—Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
But others argue that support for transgender people has infringed on the rights of biological women and their safety in spaces such as hospitals, prisons and domestic violence refuges.
—Reuters, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
Many of these refuges have since been obliterated.
—Ghada Abdulfattah, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
As the sun has grown subtly brighter over this span, if this supercontinent struggled with high carbon dioxide levels like its Pangaean forebear did, then this would be an inimically hot world to animals, except for lone refuges fringing its polar far reaches.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuges
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
-
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
“Refuges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuges. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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