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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Another idea is to create a brush pile shelter in your yard to help native wildlife, including pollinators, according to LoRusso. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 Decker said people who are homeless can feel hesitation to come into shelter, but Open Doors has built a rapport in the neighborhood and would want to stay. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
Their roots knit the coastline together, sheltering marine life and fish and absorbing carbon emissions. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Advocates Against Family Violence in Canyon County is available at 208-459-4779 for anyone in need of help or shelter in an abusive relationship. — Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 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
  • Since then, presidents, royalty, and movie stars have all sought refuge in the hallowed hotel.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Previously, 2021’s Dune culminated in the brutal defeat of House Atreides by rival House Harkonnen, with Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), fleeing to the desert and taking refuge among the Fremen.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of refuge
Verb
  • Its developers believe the design could eventually protect EOD teams handling several types of unexploded ordnance.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • That approach protects revenue while ensuring customers are treated fairly.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of protect
Verb
  • Don’t miss the 153-year-old Point Arena Lighthouse, where a climb up the 115-foot tower yields birds-eye views and the Signal Museum houses the original Fresnel lens.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The historic building that houses the restaurant used to be an orphanage for young girls, and the dining space was once a classroom.
    — Jessica Jungbauer, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of house
Noun
  • All the oxygen of the movie, all the things that are his sanctuary and, in a way, his prison, is movie music.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
  • People milled around the sanctuary, greeting one another warmly.
    — Emma Green, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of sanctuary
Verb
  • Raman says that she is committed to ending homelessness, but the city has gone about it the wrong way and that no-camping zones just push the problem from one neighborhood to another.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • D’Amelio made her entrance early in the evening, posing with her cover before camping out in a cozy red booth next to the DJ stand.
    — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of camp
Noun
  • The 23,000-square-foot spa is a welcome retreat and unlike anything else in the area and the hotel's commitment to being pet-friendly is notable.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • There is also a third-floor guest retreat with a lounge, roof deck and views of the Long Island Sound.
    — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • The intersection at Swepco Road would include a wide turnout lane to accommodate traffic.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • But what incentive is there for the Cavs to change their schedule to accommodate the WNBA Finals?
    — Rod Beard, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • The Boise City Council on Tuesday passed a new law designed to limit food and shelter for the animals, marking the council’s first formal step to combat the spread of Norway and roof rats in the Treasure Valley.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of roof

Browse Nearby Words

shells out
shelter
sheltered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelter. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on shelter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shelter

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of wraith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All