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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

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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 sanctum In a world without God, the homies are a sanctum. 5. Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 But the maestro was powerless to stifle a burst of gratitude and relief, a communal exhalation, prompted by music, that could only take place in the sanctum of a concert hall. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Oct. 2024 And then there were the Satanists — who welcomed him into their sanctum without judgment. Alex Bhattacharji, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2024 Tehran is taking its time to reveal how, yet again, its innermost sanctum was violated by Israel. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 31 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for sanctum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctum
Noun
  • Written in the 14th century, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales include 24 stories told by pilgrims traveling to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury, England.
    Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025
  • There is a small wooden shrine dedicated to people killed by the tsunami.
    Rebecca Chace July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Some 600 people, most of them children, were given refuge in the church before it was struck, the Patriarchate said in a statement Thursday.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
  • Johnston Atoll, an unincorporated US territory and Pacific island wildlife refuge with a complicated military history, will no longer become a SpaceX reusable rocket test site, Popular Science reports.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Known for its commitment to wellness, sustainability and experiential luxury, the Six Senses brand creates immersive sanctuaries that connect guests to nature, community and self.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Other pink binders are located at the entrance to the sanctuary itself as well as in the fellowship hall, all places anyone is welcome to enter St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, in west Los Angeles.
    Jason DeRose, NPR, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Whether that be seeking mental health help from Beacon Mental, one of The Center’s program partners, or going to a shelter, sometimes people have a waiting period or no way to get to the receiving entity.
    Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 20 July 2025
  • After months of visits (and gifts of fresh coffee) the woman finally expressed interest in staying at a shelter, and leaders were ecstatic about where that might lead.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • What also made this retreat truly unique was its cultural intentionality.
    Essence, Essence, 22 July 2025
  • Residents of Kyiv retreat to metro stations nightly to shelter from Russian strikes.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sanctum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctum. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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