as in refuges
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-holes
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
Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt-holes
Noun
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At the turn of the 20th century, the great institutions of urban life — libraries, museums, post offices, train stations — were conceived as luxurious refuges for those who could only afford necessities.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
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Gollner said refuges could save lives in some situations, but would need to be identified in advance by local emergency managers charged with wildfire response, who would decide when to use them.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Noun
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And a few, like Giuliana Rancic, will flog some specific Pratt issues, like the brutal state of the city’s animal shelters.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
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While in office, Raman has voted dozens of times against establishing new no-camping zones near homeless shelters, senior centers, freeway overpasses and other locations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
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The multifaceted stories the surveys tell will mark some of the US’s advances over 50 years, but also its retreats.—
Greg Allen,
ARTnews.com,
7 June 2026
-
Stevie retreats into the endcap of the aisle, to hide behind chips the size of feed bags, and this is how Stevie is sick in the head.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Staying active is also not confined to the brick-and-mortar gym anymore, especially after Covid-era restrictions influenced many to build sweat sanctuaries at home, invest in equipment like Pelotons, or simply power on a YouTube video and hop on a yoga mat in their living rooms.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
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Both the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem and the Palladium Ballroom in midtown, sanctuaries of Lindy Hop, mambo, and salsa, were integrated.—
Marina Harss,
New Yorker,
3 June 2026
Noun
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An end to the war would ease concerns throughout a region that saw Gulf havens and travel hubs like the United Arab Emirates struck by Iranian missiles and drones.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
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Independent bookstores are magical havens for the next generation of readers—fostering a community that goes beyond the pages.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolt-holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt-holes. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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