SHELTER Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

shelter 1 of 2

noun

ˈshel-tər

Definition of shelter

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

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shelter

2 of 2

verb

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

expose

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

eject
evict

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 a Monday morning news briefing, Velázquez urged residents to stay off the streets and seek shelter if their homes are at risk. — Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026 City officials said nearly 7,000 people were staying in shelters. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

That, even if someone else read the words, perhaps some part of it could be withheld, could be sheltered. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026 Rounding out their trio is Hazel (Kennedi Reece), a sweet, naive young woman, completely sheltered by her conservative upbringing but determined to follow her Michelle Obama dreams. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shelter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelter

Noun

For decades, film festivals cast themselves as cinema’s refuge from Hollywood’s worst commercial instincts.

— Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
In real life, his swanky Swiss refuge is actually located in Gressoney-Saint-Jean, an alpine village in Italy’s Aosta Valley.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of refuge

Verb

In yet another battle between the states and social media platforms, Florida asked a state judge to order changes on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to protect young users.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Their bid to change their lives turns into a dangerous chase, and the friendship becomes the one thing protecting them.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of protect

Verb

Tourist attractions abound—from colorful boutique shops to enticing coffee roasters—many housed in the pale-yellow, former government buildings.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The museum, leaders announced on Wednesday, will also house a genealogy center that will be intended to help visitors preserve family history through the company FamilySearch.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of house

Noun

Set the scene On a paradisiacal slice of sand on the Thai island of Koh Samui is Kamalaya – a wellbeing sanctuary that promises to help guests ‘live life’s potential’.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Greenberg went on to convert the six-bedroom, eight-bath property into a deeply personal sanctuary.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of sanctuary

Verb

Over a thousand people are now camped in Madrid’s most central square in a scale not seen since 2011, in the aftermath of the financial collapse.

— Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026
Corthell offered to introduce me to Tyler Hughes, who was also camping in the gayborhood.

— David Alm, Longreads, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of camp

Noun

Four-day yoga retreats on the riverbank, nature walks, and helicopter flights over Victoria Falls are just some of the activities on offer.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Designed as a hybrid production hub and creative retreat, the multiphase project pairs soundstages and production offices with housing and wellness spaces.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

According to the current assessment, Germany could potentially accommodate as many as 4,000 high-altitude turbines within existing wind farms.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
However, during the discussions, Coral Gables Finance Director Diana Gomez pinpointed some possible projects the city could decrease funding for in order to accommodate the Underline funding.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of accommodate

Verb

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
Special foils, triple silver-coated glass, and roof airflow prevent heat buildup inside the car.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of roof

Browse Nearby Words

shells out

shelter

sheltered

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Shelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelter. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shelter

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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