hole up

Definition of hole upnext
as in to hide
to remain out of sight we'll hole up in the cellar and wait out the hurricane

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hole up Kewan Lacy, the nation’s third-leading rusher, burst through a hole up the middle for a 73-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter — the longest run allowed by Miami’s defense since 2018. Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026 A lot of it was just that — holed up in a house. Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 Dec. 2025 The man, who was not named, holed up for at least three hours inside the house as sheriff’s deputies waited outside for a SWAT team to arrive. Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 22 Dec. 2025 Manila — The father and son suspected of carrying out Sunday’s Bondi Beach massacre holed up in a hotel for most of their almost month-long stay in the Philippines in November, rarely left their rooms and dined on fast food, a hotel employee told CNN. Jinky Jorgio, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hole up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hole up
Verb
  • This means that bills get hearings, debates happen in public, and legislators are required to vote on issues instead of hiding behind process.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Maybe Mark Kelly and several other dissident members of Congress are hiding the sun in a big bag.
    Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Leonard lurked in the background of the All-Star hubbub, leaving his noise on the court as the only routine Ingram could watch.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Two sisters investigate the mysterious death of their mother, while their younger brother — gifted with an uncanny ability to heal — becomes a target for whatever’s lurking in the factory’s bowels.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • HoloRadar captures these reflections and reconstructs what lies beyond direct view.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Your job is not to decide whether your child is lying.
    Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hole up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hole%20up. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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