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
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2
as in refuges
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 sanctuaries
Staying active is also not confined to the brick-and-mortar gym anymore, especially after Covid-era restrictions influenced many to build sweat sanctuaries at home, invest in equipment like Pelotons, or simply power on a YouTube video and hop on a yoga mat in their living rooms.
—
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Both the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem and the Palladium Ballroom in midtown, sanctuaries of Lindy Hop, mambo, and salsa, were integrated.
—Marina Harss, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
One is the widespread sense that homes are sanctuaries reserved for oneself and one’s immediate family.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
Just 30 minutes from San Juan, the property is a 493-acre frontier cradled by two massive nature sanctuaries.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2026
Schools are sanctuaries for learning, and neither county education officials nor school district personnel should serve as instruments of federal immigration enforcement.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
The Republican lawmakers sponsoring most of the legislation say those gathering at sacred sanctuaries deserve protection beyond what existing trespassing laws provide.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Like rhinos, there are several rhino sanctuaries in the region, as well as the community focused wildlife conservancies and sustainable luxury lodges that are putting this part of East Africa on the travel map.
—AFAR Media, 15 May 2026
As the play reminds us, finding sanctuaries of many kinds in these times can be very difficult to achieve.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Both the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem and the Palladium Ballroom in midtown, sanctuaries of Lindy Hop, mambo, and salsa, were integrated.
—Marina Harss, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
One is the widespread sense that homes are sanctuaries reserved for oneself and one’s immediate family.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
Just 30 minutes from San Juan, the property is a 493-acre frontier cradled by two massive nature sanctuaries.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2026
Schools are sanctuaries for learning, and neither county education officials nor school district personnel should serve as instruments of federal immigration enforcement.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
The Republican lawmakers sponsoring most of the legislation say those gathering at sacred sanctuaries deserve protection beyond what existing trespassing laws provide.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Like rhinos, there are several rhino sanctuaries in the region, as well as the community focused wildlife conservancies and sustainable luxury lodges that are putting this part of East Africa on the travel map.
—AFAR Media, 15 May 2026
As the play reminds us, finding sanctuaries of many kinds in these times can be very difficult to achieve.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuaries
Noun
-
Mother pleads for help finding son His mother asked community members to check hotels, hostels, capsule hotels, internet cafés, manga cafés, train stations, convenience stores, hiking areas, rivers, shrines and other places.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
The importance of shrines and temples to the cultural life of Tokyo can’t be overstated.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Patagonia’s remote sea forests are recognised as climate refuges, and recent legislation in Argentina now protects most of the country’s wild giant kelp.—
Tatjana Baleta,
Time,
28 May 2026
-
Combined, the two sides have spent about $700,000 in legal fees in a battle now focused on whether one of Virginia's few wildlife refuges should be allowed to expand.—
DANA HEDGPETH THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2026
Noun
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And a few, like Giuliana Rancic, will flog some specific Pratt issues, like the brutal state of the city’s animal shelters.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
-
While in office, Raman has voted dozens of times against establishing new no-camping zones near homeless shelters, senior centers, freeway overpasses and other locations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The multifaceted stories the surveys tell will mark some of the US’s advances over 50 years, but also its retreats.—
Greg Allen,
ARTnews.com,
7 June 2026
-
Stevie retreats into the endcap of the aisle, to hide behind chips the size of feed bags, and this is how Stevie is sick in the head.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
An end to the war would ease concerns throughout a region that saw Gulf havens and travel hubs like the United Arab Emirates struck by Iranian missiles and drones.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
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Independent bookstores are magical havens for the next generation of readers—fostering a community that goes beyond the pages.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuaries. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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