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
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
-
If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and cover your head, or leave your vehicle and seek refuge in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The definition of refuge is shelter, protection or safety from danger.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Consider planning something restorative for the second half of the month, like a wellness retreat, a quiet escape, or simply a change of scenery that asks nothing of you.—
Steph Koyfman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
-
While the retreat center was not a primarily political place, its critics mostly ignored its political ambitions and successes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Every day, about 300 people come to the center to rest, get their mail, wash, have some food or find out about shelter availability.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Nearly 70% also supported caps on rent increases, while 44% of voters wanted the city to focus on building short-term homeless shelters to get people off the streets, compared with 25% who wanted to focus on permanent housing with services.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The whole thing feels more like a seaside sanctuary for people who’ve outgrown the noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The results leave St Pauli in 16th and in the relative sanctuary of the play-off place, with Wolfsburg one point behind and Heidenheim still bottom, four points further back.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Boston, the Brooke Charter Schools became a haven for educators from other charters who had grown dismayed by their school’s ideological turn.—
Steven F. Wilson,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike gold, neither platinum nor palladium is considered a reliable safe-haven asset during economic downturns.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolt-hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt-hole. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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