sanctuaries

Definition of sanctuariesnext
plural of sanctuary
1
as in shrines
a place that is considered sacred (as within a religion) by law, anyone who sought refuge in a religious sanctuary was safe from arrest by the civil authorities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2

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 sanctuaries Offshore trusts were marketed as quiet sanctuaries, insulated by geography and confidentiality statutes. Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026 Spend your weekend by the waves, savoring fresh seafood and exploring the area’s wildlife sanctuaries. Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026 Straddling the rugged mountains between the states of Mexico and Michoacán, the 138,000-acre reserve has around a half dozen public, community-run sanctuaries within its borders and in its buffer zones. Jen Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026 About 500 condors now call breeding centers and the skies over wildland sanctuaries home. Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 5 Mar. 2026 Those myths were conveyed through performance, sung in the great halls of the elite, recited at festivals all across the ancient world, staged at the theatre to large audiences, and displayed on wall paintings, mosaics, vases, and sculptures that adorned both sacred sanctuaries and city-states. Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026 The company will also be hosting a series of fireside conversations with women thought leaders at Alo’s Fashion Island, Miami Design District and Regent Street sanctuaries locations. Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 26 Feb. 2026 The purpose of school libraries School libraries have long served as sanctuaries and supportive spaces for vulnerable students. Abigail Leigh Phillips, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026 Alberto Carvalho, an immigrant himself, has pledged to do all in the district’s power to maintain schools as sanctuaries for children of immigrant families — and activists patrol outside schools to help ensure safe passage to campus for parents and students. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuaries
Noun
  • Popular routes include the Zhushan Sunrise Trail—where early risers catch a sea of clouds backlit by cherry blossoms—and forest loops connecting ponds, shrines, and scenic overlooks.
    Alexandra Gillespie, Outside, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Its architecture and interior design likewise reinforced sumo’s connection to religion through aesthetic nods to the Shinto shrines where some tournaments had previously been held.
    Joshua Hunt, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • This is the sort of ecological abundance that has long attracted travelers to the Amazon River, South America's liquid spine and one of the last refuges for jaguars in the world.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Aid workers in Lebanon spoke with ABC News about overcrowded conditions at shelters, women and children being disproportionately affected, and the need for psychosocial support.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • To compensate for the lack of bomb shelters and safe rooms in residential housing, Noori said Iranian authorities designated 82 metro stations and 300 parking garages in Tehran as shelters for the people.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Discover four lake retreats currently for sale with the luxury brokerage, and get in touch with their experts to see more.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Madera has devoted his fortune to restoring historic estates and transforming them into intimate luxury retreats.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The rooms Packed with personality and thoughtful details of Boholano heritage, guest spaces are havens of warm wood and handicrafts.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The state of truth, the impact of AI, and the fight to create safe havens for independent voices are among the hot-button issues in focus at this year’s 18th edition.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sanctuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuaries. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sanctuaries

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster