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as in refuge
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
the marshland has been set aside as a sanctuary for shorebirds along that section of the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sanctuary
The gallery becomes a contemporary sanctuary, where narrative and material intersect.
—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Far from the modest wellness areas typical of city hotels, this is a vast, shimmering sanctuary.
—Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
In December, 2024, a Beth El member named Alex Willick received an invitation to speak in the synagogue’s main sanctuary on Shabbat about a recent visit to Israel.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
This year, the Pink Full Moon squares off against the expansive planet Jupiter, which is in the sign of Cancer, offering us protection and sanctuary.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sanctuary
Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Far from the modest wellness areas typical of city hotels, this is a vast, shimmering sanctuary.
—Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
In December, 2024, a Beth El member named Alex Willick received an invitation to speak in the synagogue’s main sanctuary on Shabbat about a recent visit to Israel.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
This year, the Pink Full Moon squares off against the expansive planet Jupiter, which is in the sign of Cancer, offering us protection and sanctuary.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sanctuary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuary
Noun
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Heat owner Micky Arison was inducted into Hall as part of the shrine’s 2025 class.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
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His 20,000-foot, palazzo was a work of art in itself—and a shrine to the Versace brand.—
Serena Turner,
Vanity Fair,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Alongside state-level LGBTQ+ resources that have long been known to be some of the strongest in the country, Peoria has become a particularly apt choice for refuge.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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Ghafari’s brother, 70-year-old Sami Ghafari, was among the villagers who sought refuge at the church in Alma al-Shaab.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Other rabbits end up in her shelter after living their lives in a laboratory.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The hotel is just a short walk from movie-famous Notting Hill, but inside is a retreat from its buzzy streets and tourist hotspots.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Unseasonably warm weather patterns, including the unprecedented heat wave in March, have driven rattlesnakes out of their winter retreats in search of food and mates a month ahead of the typical start of rattlesnake season, Taylor said.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuary. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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