inner sanctum
Most protected space
An inner sanctum is the most private or sacred space within a larger area—originally the innermost chamber of a temple, accessible only to priests.
The phrase now refers to any exclusive zone where important decisions are made or secrets kept: Few outsiders gain access to the inner sanctum of party leadership.
It suggests both privilege and mystery.
Made or regarded holy
- consecratedDeclared sacred through ritual
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- sanctifiedMade sacred through blessing
- holyDedicated to the divine
divine · blessed · shrine · altar · tabernacle · temple · chapel · reliquary
Set apart, private
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- hiddenKept out of sight
- secretConcealed information
concealed · cloistered · sequestered · enclosed · restricted · guarded · privileged · personal
Place of safety
- havenShelter from danger
- hideawaySecluded place of refuge
- hermitageSecluded religious dwelling
- shelterProtected place or structure
escape · oasis · cocoon · den · lair · chamber · alcove · nook
Accessible to few
- occultConcealed from view
- arcaneUnderstood by few
- enigmaticPuzzling and obscure
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
veiled · hidden knowledge · initiation · adept · oracle · divination · ritual · transcendence
Central command location
- nerve centerCentral point of control
- command centerCentral operations facility
- executive suiteSenior management's office space
- boardroomCorporate decision venue
throne room · seat of power · cabal · coterie · decision-makers · gatekeepers · confidants
hallowed
Made or regarded holy
- consecratedDeclared sacred through ritual
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- sanctifiedMade sacred through blessing
holy · divine · blessed · shrine · altar · tabernacle · temple · chapel · reliquary · devotion
secluded
Set apart, private
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- hiddenKept out of sight
secret · concealed · cloistered · sequestered · enclosed · restricted · guarded · privileged · personal · off-limits
refuge
Place of safety
shelter · escape · oasis · cocoon · den · lair · chamber · alcove · nook · recess
esoteric
Accessible to few
mysterious · veiled · hidden knowledge · initiation · adept · oracle · divination · ritual · transcendence · kabbalah
headquarters
Central command location
- nerve centerCentral point of control
- command centerCentral operations facility
- executive suiteSenior management's office space
boardroom · throne room · seat of power · cabal · coterie · decision-makers · gatekeepers · confidants
- hideawayshideaway, hideout, hiding place, lair, den
- refugesrefuge, haven, safe haven, safe house, safehouse
- sacred placestemple complex, basilica, abbey, church, chapel
- figurative placeslimbo, crossroads, dead end, comfort zone, happy place
- haremconcubines, eunuchs, wives, concubine, eunuch
- inner circlesin-group, ingroup, in-crowd, core group, clique
inner sanctumanteroom
Chamber preceding main space
vestibule · foyer · lobby · entrance hall · periphery
inner sanctumpublic space
Area open to everyone
open forum · public square · common area · town square · marketplace
inner, sanctuary, intimate, interior, inward, innermost, sanctum, inwardness