sanctuary

[sangk-choo-er-ee] / ˈsæŋk tʃuˌɛr i /

NOUN

church; holiest room or area in religious building

Synonyms

STRONGEST

altar shrine temple

STRONG

chancel sanctum

WEAK

holy place sanctorium

NOUN

place to hide, be safe

Synonyms

STRONGEST

asylum church harbor haven hideout oasis protection refuge resort retreat shelter

STRONG

convent cover covert defense den harborage hideaway hole port screen shield

WEAK

ivory tower safe house

NOUN

safe place for wildlife

Synonyms

STRONGEST

asylum national park park refuge reserve retreat shelter

STRONG

harborage preserve

WEAK

conservation area game refuge nature preserve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She said she was proud of the honour and thrilled the sanctuary's work had been recognised in the honours list.

From BBC

Since the Cold War, the Arctic has offered Russia a remote sanctuary for much of its nuclear arsenal.

From The Wall Street Journal

This rapid urbanisation meant grasslands were seen as empty places to build, not sanctuaries to conserve.

From BBC

No one is feeling this more than the Jewish community, for whom Bondi has become a sanctuary.

From BBC

Dictionary delights, sanctuaries around the globe, the many voices of Harry Potter and more.

From The Wall Street Journal