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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of bolt-hole
But other bolt-holes stand out for giving the beds themselves extra attention, distinguishing them in some particularly charming or even surreal way (see beds carved out of literal ice).
—
Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt-hole
Noun
-
Kent also sought refuge with Candace Owens, a blatantly antisemitic influencer on the far right, and her podcast audience.—
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Nattie takes a job as a janitor at the hospital and finds a refuge in the library, striking up a friendship with the lonely librarian.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The hotel is just a short walk from movie-famous Notting Hill, but inside is a retreat from its buzzy streets and tourist hotspots.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Unseasonably warm weather patterns, including the unprecedented heat wave in March, have driven rattlesnakes out of their winter retreats in search of food and mates a month ahead of the typical start of rattlesnake season, Taylor said.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Chicago Animal Care and Control officials took the dogs to the city's animal shelter for evaluation, and has asked anyone planning to surrender any animals to the city to hold off, if possible, to reduce the demand on the shelter.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The decision to inaugurate the first urban Six Senses property in Rome was partially driven by the owner’s love of all things Italian and is part of a new drive to bring sanctuaries to bigger cities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The historic 134-year-old sanctuary, which opened in 1890 and was used until a new facility opened in 2013, was a significant downtown landmark.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For Gulf economies, being dollar-pegged remains a major risk on the inflation front, Iqbal said, adding that traditional safe havens — namely gold — have displayed characteristics more akin to a risk asset, shaped by the strengthening dollar and rising interest rate expectations.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
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These factors include the high price of gold before the war, the relative attractiveness of other low-risk assets and a mixed record of living up to its safe-haven status.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolt-hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt-hole. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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