refuge

[ ref-yooj ]

noun

1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.:

   to take refuge from a storm.

   Synonyms: safety, security

2. a place of shelter, protection, or safety.

   Synonyms: stronghold, haven, sanctuary, retreat, asylum

3. anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.

verb (used with object)

, ref·uged, ref·ug·ing.

1. Archaic. to afford refuge to.

verb (used without object)

, ref·uged, ref·ug·ing.

1. Archaic. to take refuge.

refuge

/ ˈrɛfjuːdʒ /

noun

1. shelter or protection, as from the weather or danger
2. any place, person, action, or thing that offers or appears to offer protection, help, or relief

   accused of incompetence, he took refuge in lying

3. another name for traffic island

verb

1. archaic.
   to take refuge or give refuge to

Word History and Origins

Origin of refuge¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin refugium, from refug(ere) “to turn and flee, run away” ( re- re- + fugere “to flee”; fugitive ) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of refuge¹

C14: via Old French from Latin refugium , from refugere to flee away, from re- + fugere to escape

Example Sentences

I would burrow and seek refuge in reading narrative stories and watching movies.

From Salon

She had sought refuge in her uncle’s house in Aramoun after Israel started bombing Beirut’s southern suburbs.

From BBC

This bit of wisdom from Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz was embraced Tuesday night by an increasingly frazzled American electorate seeking a refuge from potentially catastrophic news.

From Salon

“At the same time we need to build a compelling alternative to Trump’s vision of walls, cages and guns, that invests in people’s ability to stay resilient in their communities, and provides safe, orderly pathways to refuge when they cannot.”

From Salon

Even as Trump supporters cite racist theories to justify persecuting people and ignoring the extreme weather caused by climate change, Gaya argued that “climate advocates must also work with migrant justice leaders and climate-displaced people to propose a positive alternative to border militarization that promotes both people's resilience to stay in their homes and orderly, safe pathways to refuge for those who cannot.”

From Salon

Related Words

• asylum
• fortress
• haven
• hideaway
• hideout
• hiding place
• protection
• resort
• retreat
• sanctuary
• security
• shelter
• stronghold