SHELTER Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

shelter 1 of 2

noun

ˈshel-tər

Definition of shelter

as in refuge

something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger the sudden fierce storm forced us to run to the nearest shelter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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shelter

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect

to be or provide a shelter for the abandoned barn shelters a colony of stray cats

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expose

as in to house

to provide with living quarters or shelter sheltered the troops in tents until permanent barracks could be built

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

eject
evict

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 shelter

Noun

And in May, residents in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius were told to seek shelter after a drone strayed into Lithuanian airspace. — Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 The funding will support 10 projects in the West, Center and Artibonite regions, reaching more than 500,000 people with assistance, including clean water, health care and shelter. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

Residents of a Thornton neighborhood spent Sunday night sheltering inside their homes as police searched for an armed suspect following a shootout that left a Colorado police officer wounded. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Campers were later advised to continue to shelter in their vehicles until further notice as a weather system containing lightning moved into the Coachella Valley region, as tropical storm Rachel hit the coast of Southern California. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shelter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelter

Noun

The church had been our refuge and our launching pad, our sanctuary and our strategy room.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Raney Aronson-Rath A chronicle of one Syrian daughter’s journey in fleeing war and seeking refuge in Germany, and how over ten years, new pressures and opportunities present themselves.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of refuge

Verb

Rowling has been staunchly critical of transgender rights activists, funding legal efforts to protect women’s rights and penning X/Twitter posts that are considered to be attacks by the trans community.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026
Go rebound the basketball, go protect the rim, be a big big for us.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of protect

Verb

The store houses Smythson’s full selection, and also features a dedicated bespoke stationery salon, the only one outside of London, where customers can book a one-on-one appointment with a stationery specialist.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
The gallery’s New York flagship has been located on the Upper East Side since 2014, in a set of historic buildings comprising some 17,500 square feet that formerly housed the National Academy Museum.

— News Desk, Artforum, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of house

Noun

Zoo manager Jocelyn Smeltzer said the group wanted to invest in improvements that would benefit the sanctuary for years to come.

— James Taylor, CBS News, 16 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

Definition of sanctuary

Noun

After decades of neglect and subsequent disrepair, it was recently restored into a luxurious one-bedroom retreat that honors its historic roots while embracing contemporary amenities like a king bed, an en-suite bathroom, and a sleek living area.

— Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
An industry in retreat In 2026, hybrids and all-electric vehicles faced the same jump in demand from the oil crisis.

— John Paul Helveston, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

Integrators must adapt the existing platform to accommodate those requirements.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Coming in 2030 will be a proud fusion of iconic Kansas City brands and institutions, enabled by a partnership with Hallmark that starts with razing its headquarters to accommodate the stadium district footprint.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of accommodate

Verb

The Rest and Relax Inn in Pensacola, Florida, was surrounded by piles of debris after it was stripped of roofing materials during a heavy hit from the hurricane last night.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
Special foils, triple silver-coated glass, and roof airflow prevent heat buildup inside the car.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of roof

Browse Nearby Words

shells out

shelter

sheltered

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Shelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelter. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shelter

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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