refuge
12 synonyms and 0 antonyms for refuge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Safety or shelter from danger or difficulty.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use refuge
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French refuge, from Latin refugium, built from re- ("back") plus fugere ("to flee") — literally "a place to flee back to."
Full origin of refuge →Frequently asked questions
What does “refuge” mean?
The word “refuge” means safety or shelter from danger or difficulty. In plain terms, a safe place, or the state of being safe, especially when escaping danger.
How do you pronounce “refuge”?
“Refuge” is pronounced REHF-yooj (/ˈɹɛfjuːd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “refuge” in a sentence?
Here is “refuge” used in a sentence: “They took refuge in a nearby church during the storm.”
What is another word for “refuge”?
Words with a similar meaning to “refuge” include haven, sanctuary, zoar, asylum, bield and shelter.
What part of speech is “refuge”?
“Refuge” is a noun.
Where does the word “refuge” come from?
The word “refuge” comes from Latin. From Old French refuge, from Latin refugium, built from re- ("back") plus fugere ("to flee") — literally "a place to flee back to.".
Is “refuge” a common word?
“Refuge” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “refuge” have?
“Refuge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: safety or shelter from danger or difficulty.
What is the difference between refuge and refugee?
Refuge is the safety or shelter itself, or a place that provides it, as in "they took refuge from the storm." A refugee is a person who seeks that safety, especially someone forced to flee their own country.
What is the difference between refuge and asylum?
Refuge is general safety or shelter from danger, while asylum is more formal and often legal, referring to protection granted by a country to someone fleeing persecution. All asylum is a form of refuge, but not all refuge is asylum.
What is the difference between refuge and sanctuary?
Both mean a place of safety, but sanctuary often carries a sense of sacredness or an officially protected area, such as a wildlife sanctuary. Refuge emphasises escape from immediate danger or hardship.
What are common collocations with refuge?
Refuge often appears in phrases such as "take refuge," "seek refuge," "a place of refuge," and "wildlife refuge." The verbs "take" and "seek" are its most common partners.