refuge 1 of 2

noun

ˈre-(ˌ)fyüj How to pronounce refuge (audio)
Definition of refugenext
as in shelter
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger hunting is strictly forbidden in the wildlife refuge

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refuge

2 of 2

verb

as in to shelter
to be or provide a shelter for a nation with a long, honorable history of refuging political asylum seekers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 refuge
Noun
In an age of relentless scrutiny, even immense wealth offers no refuge from the public eye. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 18 Aug. 2026 The Next Marginal Buyer Bitcoin's volatility remains the strongest objection to viewing it as a refuge. — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
Migratory birds will also be attracted to the hedges and trees, which will give them refuge on their journeys. — Karen Lubeck, Town & Country, 8 Nov. 2022 For one, an evacuation was not necessarily a path to refuge in the United States, as many expected. — Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 See All Example Sentences for refuge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuge
  1. shelter
  2. protect
  3. sanctuary
  4. retreat
  5. haven
Noun
  • Advocates for Baltimore's homeless community are calling on Maryland's General Assembly to investigate living conditions at several hotels the city purchased and turned into shelters.
    — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • French was shot dead outside Fordham’s Sammon Build Center shelter on Grand Ave.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of shelter
Verb
  • As the Green Lantern, Hal has the power to create material items through his ring, and acts as an intergalactic space officer protecting humanity from extraterrestrial threats.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Meta has introduced a slew of new features in recent years designed to protect minors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • Humane Indiana’s wildlife sanctuary in Valparaiso said in a Facebook post that staff could hear trees coming down on the property as storms rolled in Tuesday.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • This impending surge in lunar traffic makes time-sensitive missions like CosmoCube crucial to capturing the universe’s earliest faint signals before the quietest sanctuary in the solar system becomes noisy.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sanctuary
Noun
  • Works created by painters, sculptors, ceramicists, and fashion designers are all on display, making the space feel as much a cultural showcase as a luxury retreat.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Upscale retreats are being designed to blend seamlessly into some of the African country’s most remote environments; being hard to find offers the ultimate in exclusivity.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of retreat
Noun
  • In this foodie haven, The Pullman is a must-try, with mouth-watering items like a Colorado Wagyu burger, plus a hefty cocktail list.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026
  • For survivors scattered around the world scrambling for sanctuary, Toon and his group say Australia might emerge as a comparative safe-haven, with only minor disruptions to its cultivation of wheat and other crops.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of haven

Browse Nearby Words

refrozen
refuge
refuged
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Cite this Entry

“Refuge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuge. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on refuge

Nglish: Translation of refuge for Spanish Speakers

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