sanctuaries

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

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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 Donate Your Pumpkins Animal sanctuaries, zoos, and farms sometimes take pumpkin donations to feed their animals. — Sarah Everett, The Spruce, 2 Nov. 2026 Don’t miss wearable glass costumes, an interactive botanical soundscape, glowing geometric light sanctuaries, and works by Dale Chihuly and other modern masters. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 Still largely unfamiliar to most people are the figurines found in Petsophas and other Minoan sanctuaries. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026 These spaces are sanctuaries, refuges from digital saturation. — Ingrid Schmidt, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 In response, design studios, such as Nuvolari Lenard, are focusing on creating deeply personal floating sanctuaries. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2026 Beyond offering scenery, the survey found that these natural settings often serve as private sanctuaries for emotional healing. — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026 From digital networks to dance floor sanctuaries, the reimagining of reggaeton called ‘neoperreo’ — made by and for femmes and freaks — turns 10 this year. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 With a foreword by fashion designer Jenna Lyons, the book showcases a variety of distinct residential projects, from city penthouses and lakeside retreats to coastal sanctuaries, culminating in their first luxury yacht project. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuaries
Noun
  • And around the world, wars and religious persecution have destroyed prayer books, Bibles, Qurans, Torah scrolls, statues, iconography, shrines, relics and many other materials considered venerable.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In 2025, two scholars of religion decided to make a multiday pilgrimage along the Kumano Kodō trail – an ancient route in Japan connecting Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples – guided by an artificial intelligence assistant.
    — Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • These spaces are sanctuaries, refuges from digital saturation.
    — Ingrid Schmidt, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Piling leaves in corners or under shrubs creates refuges for these species.
    — Pam Rosendal, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Palm Beach officials said in a press conference Monday that two shelters were opened to help evacuees of the nearby mobile home park.
    — Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Many people shunned the shelters and stayed in their vehicles outside their homes or in parking lots.
    — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • These retreats, held throughout the year, fill up time after time with participants looking to find a sense of peace in the mountains of Virginia.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The trend blends landscape design with wellness thinking, turning ordinary yards into immersive retreats built to calm the body through scent, sound, texture and water.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Whether or not your favorite team is noted below, all are welcome at these Orlando-area sports havens.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The brand recommends placing traps near pest-prone areas like baseboards, and in moisture havens, like garages and basements.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sanctuaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuaries. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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