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
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
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
Most visitors spend a full day or even two days exploring the trail, allowing time to stop at scenic overlooks, embark on wildlife drives, and visit the many beaches and sanctuaries.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 19 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
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
The fast craft crossing takes about two hours, carrying visitors from Cebu’s urban center to Bohol’s countryside, home to the Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuaries.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
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
Most visitors spend a full day or even two days exploring the trail, allowing time to stop at scenic overlooks, embark on wildlife drives, and visit the many beaches and sanctuaries.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 19 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
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
The fast craft crossing takes about two hours, carrying visitors from Cebu’s urban center to Bohol’s countryside, home to the Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuaries.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 11 Jan. 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
-
Wild camping is generally permitted in rural Morocco, and many trekkers camp near mountain refuges or in open areas while observing Leave No Trace practices.—
Alexandra Gillespie,
Outside,
6 Mar. 2026
-
But efforts to replenish herds at Yellowstone and other refuges have restored wild herds.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The ordinance grants the city manager unilateral authority to approve contracts worth up to $5 million when they are related to creating a temporary shelters for the homeless.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
While the data showed just more than 120,000 people were listed as being housed in shelters set up across the country, Baban said many were sleeping in tents on the streets of Beirut or in parked cars.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Andrew has moved to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, while Sarah’s whereabouts are unknown—although she has been rumored to be everywhere from the French Alps to the United Arab Emirates to wellness retreats in both Switzerland and Ireland.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Before the Bride elbows her way into his life, Frank, ever so lonely, retreats into the world of movies.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In contrast, the war with Iran sent investors searching for havens like gold but did little to dim corporate earnings prospects.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Investors fled to havens such as gold and the Swiss franc, while S&P 500 futures fell more than 1%.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuaries. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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