plural loopholes
1
: a means of escape
especially
: an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evaded
2
a
: a small opening through which small arms may be fired
b
: a similar opening to admit light and air or to permit observation
Examples of loophole in a Sentence
Noun
She took advantage of a loophole in the tax law.
His attorney has been hunting for a loophole that would allow him to get out of the deal.
tried to close a loophole in the new legislation
Recent Examples on the Web
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025
In 1993, the beer and liquor industry gave thousands of dollars specifically to the eight subcommittee legislators who killed a push to pass a version of the law without the passenger loophole, reporting from that year shows.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Nov. 2025
Now Congress and the executive branch must act quickly to close export-control loopholes and enhance enforcement.
—Bill Huizenga, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Despite the 2018 hemp loophole, selling food to which THC or CBD has been added is unequivocally prohibited by the FDA.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loophole
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
In an unrelated case earlier this year, a Chinese man received a three-month federal sentence after trying to smuggle undocumented Chinese immigrants to Guam, looking to exploit a loophole allowing Chinese visitors to visit the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025
In 1993, the beer and liquor industry gave thousands of dollars specifically to the eight subcommittee legislators who killed a push to pass a version of the law without the passenger loophole, reporting from that year shows.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Nov. 2025
Now Congress and the executive branch must act quickly to close export-control loopholes and enhance enforcement.
—Bill Huizenga, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Despite the 2018 hemp loophole, selling food to which THC or CBD has been added is unequivocally prohibited by the FDA.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loophole
Cite this Entry
“Loophole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loophole. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
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