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
The Broadwick Soho’s Flute James MacDonald Broadwick Soho For 57-room bolt-hole Broadwick Soho, owner Noel Hayden was inspired by his 1980s upbringing in a quirky hotel in Dorset.
—
Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024
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
Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024
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
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Sosa Rojas first fled persecution in Venezuela in 2014, seeking refuge with his family in Colombia, where his wife was born.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Tofinu took refuge in the lagoons along the Bight of Benin, a core area of the slave trade, venturing forth in canoes with harpoons, javelins, and swords to fight off raiders from powerful nearby kingdoms.—
Laurent Dubois,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The retreat sparked criticism from other Democrats and spurred the filing of more than a dozen ethics complaints against Opportunity Caucus members.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
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Whether the call with Phillips 66 played a role in California’s retreat from its refinery profit cap and broader pivot on oil is impossible to determine from the calendars alone.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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More than 60 dogs seized during a federal raid on an East Texas ranch are now receiving intensive, lifesaving treatment inside the SPCA of Texas' Dallas shelter.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Joyce, who joined Metro in 2023, led the HOME team that scoped out unhoused folks riding the buses and trains as mobile shelters and connected with shelter and housing providers.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This is a sanctuary, a place of calm.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
10 Jan. 2026
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Wellness-Centric Bathrooms Design trends over the last few years have positioned the bathroom as a personal retreat and sanctuary.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The 31-year-old father of two converted his basement into his own Patriots haven.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, safe havens like gold sharply rallied.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolt-hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt-hole. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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