shelter 1 of 2

noun

ˈshel-tər How to pronounce shelter (audio)
Definition of shelternext
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

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shelter

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to protect
to be or provide a shelter for the abandoned barn shelters a colony of stray cats

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to house
to provide with living quarters or shelter sheltered the troops in tents until permanent barracks could be built

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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 shelter
Noun
At Cass Community Social Services, the walk-in center and shelter are at full capacity, with people seeking a cool place to stay. — Julia Avant, CBS News, 2 July 2026 Multiple explosions shook central Kyiv and reverberated across the capital throughout the night as thousands of residents rushed to bomb shelters and underground metro stations. — Gleb Garanich, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Verb
The first half had concluded in torrential rain with players and staff soaked through and Iraq coach Graham Arnold sheltering under a cover for his match-day notes. — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 27 June 2026 Kyiv residents sheltering at a metro station during Russian air attacks, early on Thursday morning local time. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shelter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelter
  1. refuge
  2. protect
  3. house
  4. sanctuary
  5. camp
  6. retreat
  7. accommodate
  8. roof
Noun
  • The city has taken a slate of actions to help sweat-dripping denizens find refuge from the heat, including opening up additional cooling centers and expanding pool hours.
    — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
  • Residents are welcome to use the center during the day for refuge and to connect with available resources.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 4 July 2026
Definition of refuge
Verb
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • There aren’t enough ships to protect the reopening trade routes from pirates.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of protect
Verb
  • The upper floor houses a food hall selling local specialties like lampredotto (tripe sandwiches) and schiacciata (a Tuscan flatbread).
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
  • From there, he will be housed at another state correctional facility and his case will be referred to Nevada County District Attorney’s Office for possible escape charges, the statement read.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of house
Noun
  • Rhaena goes to the Vale and begs Lady Jeyne Arryn for sanctuary, but the noblewoman wants nothing to do with her.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • In the warm ivory sanctuary of her office in her ambassadorial Georgian town house in London, Madonna is on the latest turn of the roller coaster that is her thrilling, adventuresome, and fecund life.
    — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 5 July 2026
Definition of sanctuary
Verb
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
  • When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of camp
Noun
  • View gallery - 18 images US design firm Renée del Gaudio Architecture has completed a 2,100-sq-ft (195-sq-m) retreat in Allenspark, Colorado.
    — Bridget Borgobello July 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
  • The two-bed, two-bath main residence is indeed a retreat, with two separate studios for guests.
    — Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • The ship can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy, according to a cruise line fact sheet.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Not every backyard can accommodate the 60-foot by 30-foot footprint these courts require, and his residential courts tend to be in communities where larger properties are the norm — like Hillsborough, Atherton, Woodside and Saratoga.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • Hook it up to the television, mount it high on the wall or roof and scan for channels.
    — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 6 July 2026
  • It was modeled after canal packet boats of yore, which were squat and flat-roofed to fit beneath the low railroad bridges that crossed the canal.
    — Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of roof

Browse Nearby Words

shells out
shelter
sheltered
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Cite this Entry

“Shelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelter. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shelter

Nglish: Translation of shelter for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shelter

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