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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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
Intimate drama set in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, where a young Ukrainian deserter finds refuge with an elderly woman and forms an unlikely bond. — Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Popular at American Chinese or Cajun-style Chinese restaurants, the sticky-sweet chicken is the utter definition of delicious, luring weary shoppers into food courts to find refuge from the bubblegum pink sweatpants and ripped denim. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 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
  • Marxt filmed fires, firefighters, inside a shelter (with a sign highlighting that there was no access for media) and more.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In November 2021, crew members took shelter inside their spacecraft after a Russian anti-satellite weapons test created a dangerous cloud of debris.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of shelter
Verb
  • More missiles, many more options This would significantly expand the ship’s ability to protect an entire naval task group, rather than primarily concentrating on defending itself and nearby assets.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Russia imposed temporary export controls on helium in April to protect its domestic supply.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of protect
Noun
  • Around this same time, a different virus hit a macaque sanctuary in Texas.
    — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The farm is a lifetime sanctuary where animals simply enjoy life.
    — Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sanctuary
Noun
  • Sylge, who has spent the last 30 years attending and organizing health and wellness retreats around the world, developed this exercise to help people reclaim their time.
    — Margaret Cirino, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Even if oil prices retreat, fares are unlikely to return to pre conflict levels.
    — , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of retreat
Noun
  • La Colombe d’Or, Saint-Paul-de-Vence A low-key haven for artists during and after the Second World War, La Colombe d’Or is brimming with artistic artifacts from artists like Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But the striking of key levels across equity and bond markets could signal a more significant shift into safe-haven assets.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 23 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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