as in refuge
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
her cottage in the Lake District served as her bolt-hole whenever the stresses of London became too great
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Recent Examples of bolt-hole
One of the first, exclusive members-only social clubs, Soho House debuted in London in 1995 and quickly became the bolt-hole of choice for celebrities and the deep-pocketed.
—
Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
And for those familiar with the region, their bolt-hole of choice was no surprise: Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
His magical renovation of Villa Mabrouka—the late Yves Saint Laurent's Tangier bolt-hole, with a Slim Aarons–worthy kidney-bean pool just outside the casbah—is as immaculately dressed down as an insouciant white linen shirt.
—Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2023
Around that time, some smaller properties also debuted — boutique charmers like Castello di Vicarello, Borgo Santo Pietro, Villa Fontelunga, and the Val d'Orcia bolt-hole La Bandita Country Hotel.
—Lee Marshall, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2023
Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
And for those familiar with the region, their bolt-hole of choice was no surprise: Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
His magical renovation of Villa Mabrouka—the late Yves Saint Laurent's Tangier bolt-hole, with a Slim Aarons–worthy kidney-bean pool just outside the casbah—is as immaculately dressed down as an insouciant white linen shirt.
—Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2023
Around that time, some smaller properties also debuted — boutique charmers like Castello di Vicarello, Borgo Santo Pietro, Villa Fontelunga, and the Val d'Orcia bolt-hole La Bandita Country Hotel.
—Lee Marshall, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt-hole
Noun
-
Tom Fletcher, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in a briefing on March 6 that about 100,000 people in Lebanon are seeking refuge from attacks in shelters.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
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Instead of acting as a refuge, US government bonds took their cue from surging crude prices and yields shot up, with inflation fears taking center stage at a time when prices are already running higher than central banks would like.—
Michael MacKenzie,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Near Heian Shrine Searching for a cozy yet modern spot for a couples’ retreat?—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2026
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This exclusive, private-use retreat in a former fishing lodge by Hampshire’s River Test is a paradise for dry fly-fishing enthusiasts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Our friends converted their 400-person reception hall wedding into a spirited dance party at their home, with small groups of well-wishers, each small enough to fit into their bomb shelter, taking turns reveling.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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About 120,000 people are in 580 overcrowded shelters with inadequate sanitation.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Straddling the rugged mountains between the states of Mexico and Michoacán, the 138,000-acre reserve has around a half dozen public, community-run sanctuaries within its borders and in its buffer zones.—
Jen Murphy,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
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In an area where fire danger is always a lingering reality, loss is not an unfamiliar theme at this Malibu sanctuary.—
Julianna Lozada,
Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Helped by low debt levels and a reputation as a secure financial hub, Switzerland has long been seen as a safe haven.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Christiania became a haven of hash smokers, apt for the early 1970s.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolt-hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt-hole. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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