1
as in shrine
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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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 sanctuary Tucked inside a coffee estate on the edge of town, the Luna Zorro studio is equal parts showroom and sanctuary—and where my textile immersion began. Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 28 May 2025 Society is powered entirely by clean energy, while heavy industry has been relocated to space, turning Earth into a pristine sanctuary. John Kaag, The Atlantic, 28 May 2025 Staffers toyed with keeping the oysters in their dockside cages, and waiting to plant them at the fort, a manmade island fortress that never saw battle, but has become a sanctuary for cormorants, gulls and other seabirds. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2025 The idea of going into a quiet space, or the countryside, or meditating in a sanctuary can also be really destabilizing. Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sanctuary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctuary
Noun
  • Nara is home to some of the most stunning temples in Japan as well as several beautiful gardens and shrines.
    Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2025
  • There was a shrine to the team in his office, vying for space with autographed film posters.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • The project involves creating a pedestrian refuge island across Illinois Street, and reducing lanes on Illinois Street to include dedicated bike lanes between Riverside Avenue and First Street.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • Many North Slope Iñupiat leaders who support drilling in the refuge felt their voices were not heard during the Biden era.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025
  • Architect Marina Tabassum’s 2025 Serpentine Pavilion is a meditation on shelter, climate and community—a place for gathering, reflection, and imagining new ways of being together in public space.
    Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Always wanted to live out your very own Pretty Woman fantasy—albeit one that involves idling away your days at a tropical beachfront retreat in Hawaii as opposed to a posh Beverly Hills hotel?
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 22 May 2025
  • The western portion of the continent is in particular peril of ice shelf retreat.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sanctuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctuary. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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