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
Fraidy Reiss, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Maybe the closest thing the movie has to a thesis comes when one of the contestants flies a drone to the sisters and tries to offer a compromise via a loophole in the rules that could spare all of them, if Grace is willing to make a repugnant sacrifice.
—Jada Yuan, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
The United States is, to her knowledge, the only country maintaining such a ban for nearly a century via Section 307 of the 1930 Tariff Act—even in its weaker form with the domestic consumption loophole.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Mar. 2026
This spiritual loophole intrigued me.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loophole
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Thousands of minors have been married off in Colorado in recent years under this loophole, almost all of them girls wed to adult men, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
—Fraidy Reiss, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Maybe the closest thing the movie has to a thesis comes when one of the contestants flies a drone to the sisters and tries to offer a compromise via a loophole in the rules that could spare all of them, if Grace is willing to make a repugnant sacrifice.
—Jada Yuan, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
The United States is, to her knowledge, the only country maintaining such a ban for nearly a century via Section 307 of the 1930 Tariff Act—even in its weaker form with the domestic consumption loophole.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Mar. 2026
This spiritual loophole intrigued me.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for loophole
Cite this Entry
“Loophole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loophole. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
