sanctums

variants also sancta
plural of sanctum
1
as in shrines
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

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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 sanctums By then, Israeli intelligence had planted a bomb in a Revolutionary Guards guest house that, in addition to killing the political leader of Hamas in Gaza, also demonstrated its ability to penetrate the innermost sanctums of the Iranian regime. Richard Hall, Time, 28 Feb. 2026 His primary qualification for infiltrating the innermost sanctums of Trumpworld would seem to be a vast capacity for cozying up to friends of the Donald. Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026 The 17 suites of the new hotel are similarly minimalist sanctums made of polished concrete and dark wood, tucked away in a wilderness fantasia and connected to a main building where guests congregate around an infinity pool and elegant restaurant. David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctums
Noun
  • Outside the shrines, though, the atmosphere is almost festive.
    Jane Arraf, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Some temples may also have shrines dedicated to indigenous gods or spirits of the land.
    Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Such spaces create temporary refuges from the digital stream, and allow habits of slowness, concentration, and absorption to become socially reinforced.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Two mountain refuges sit high on the plateau, giving hikers the option to spend the night surrounded by Olympus' alpine scenery.
    Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Not all portions of Grand Traverse County are open to deer hunting and some whitetails are able to grow old in those sanctuaries.
    Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The waterfront suites with private verandahs and two-bedroom plunge pool villas are special sanctuaries.
    Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The battery is designed for military vehicles, deployable tactical power systems, mobile command posts, tactical shelters and deployable weapon systems.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Evacuation shelters for both fires have been opened at the Carmel Mission Inn and Cambria Veterans Memorial Hall.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Every season sends viewers racing to book the real-life properties featured on screen, turning secluded retreats into viral bucket-list stops overnight.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Diane Weyermann Fellowshipprovides $100,000 in unrestricted funding for each project, as well as two creative retreats.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Past its glory days, the street adopted a grimier reputation, with crime and dangerous drivers, but there was a vision to transform it into something resembling Magnolia Avenue, or one of south Fort Worth’s pedestrian havens.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But Beijing’s recent push into high-value manufacturing poses a direct threat to those countries’ economic strategies, setting the stage for a wave of protectionism even in traditional havens of free trade.
    Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Why are only wealthy owners with two residences asked to pay more to support the mayor’s agenda?
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In November, Florida voters will have the chance to create a pathway to drastically change how local governments are budgeted by increasing the homestead exemption on primary residences from $50,000 currently to $250,000 by 2028.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sanctums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctums. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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