1
as in shrine
a place that is considered sacred (as within a religion) the city of Jerusalem is an important sanctum for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike

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 sanctum Nowhere is the balance of pampering and peacefulness more apparent than the spa, a sanctum of holistic self-care capable of transforming even the most tightly wound traveler into a Zen master. Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2024 Entrance to this particular sanctum, christened Map & Flag in a nod to the Masters’s storied logo, runs $17,000 per person for the week of golf’s first major tournament. Kevin Draper Doug Mills, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024 Stepping outside the sanctum of the dining room is like being released from a spell. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2023 Party-to-Go keeps the huge catalogue of licensed songs and even adds a story mode — a first for the series — which is perfectly tuned to the private sanctum of mobile gaming. Vulture, 2 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for sanctum 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctum
Noun
  • The elaborate shrines of Shiva and Vishnu — two of the main deities in Hinduism — were built based on 10th- and 12th-century Indian architecture and sit symmetrically across from one another at the entrance of the temple.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The 47-year-old is general manager of the Pico Rivera Sports Arena, the rodeo ring next to the San Gabriel River that has been a shrine to Mexican horse culture for decades.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Trump has emphasized that this change would prevent criminals from finding refuge in the sensitive locations, thus allowing ICE and CBP agents to perform their duties more effectively.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Mirra Andreeva finds relief from singles exit on the doubles court Off the back of a dispiriting defeat to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday, Mirra Andreeva found refuge a few hundred feet away.
    Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • An additional five animals at a private animal sanctuary in Colorado — two tigers, one lion, a mountain lion and a fox — also perished from eating the food.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Maistre undoubtedly has done some profound good by working with rescue jaguars and protecting the remainder of their lives in an animal sanctuary.
    Tomris Laffly, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Anyone in need of help should call the city’s shelter hotline at 443-984-9540, where phones will be answered through 9 p.m. Emergency overnight shelters will open at 4 p.m. as usual, Dortch said, and guests may stay through 9 the next morning.
    Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Concern for the homeless in Pensacola In Pensacola, transit bus drivers provided free transportation to area cold weather shelters that made room for record numbers of people.
    John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Descriptions for immersive experiences in 2025 can have the tendency to sound like mental health retreats.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The retreat will take place at Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center at 1525 Marriottsville Road in Marriottsville, March 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register, visit bonsecoursrcc.org.
    Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near sanctum

Cite this Entry

“Sanctum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctum. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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!