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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It’s designed to be a small refuge, a safe place with no strings attached in hopes of gaining trust and offering options.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 July 2025
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Before the 1950s, the places where Houston’s fledgling LGBTQ+ community found refuge were scattered.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
7 July 2025
Noun
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The Trump administration’s budget proposals for EPA represent a striking retreat from the national goals of clean air and clean water enacted in federal laws over the past 55 years.—
Janet McCabe,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
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That’s the case with Howard’s new novel about Helena Désir, an art-house film director who is possibly to blame for an on-set death, and who goes to a luxury retreat after suffering exhaustion.—
Michael Schaub,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
Noun
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If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 July 2025
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If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT
Updated July 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Thanks to these efforts, species like the kakapo and tuatara have been reintroduced to predator-free sanctuaries.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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King said the one caveat for houses of worship is that some spaces could be considered private, such as offices or classrooms, while the sanctuary or lobby could be considered public.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025
Noun
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Here are six cool-weather havens worth considering this summer.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Gold, a traditional safe haven, has smashed through record highs across the past two years.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bolt-hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt-hole. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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