HOLE-AND-CORNER Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

hole-and-corner

adjective

ˈhōl-ən(d)-ˈkȯr-nər

Definition of hole-and-corner

as in clandestine

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others a hole-and-corner antiterrorist operation whose very existence has been steadfastly denied by the government

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hole-and-corner

Adjective

Mexican authorities have dismantled well over a thousand clandestine drug laboratories, seized enormous quantities of narcotics and fentanyl pills, arrested thousands of cartel operatives, and extradited major criminal figures to the United States.

— Chris Shays, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Throughout the previous four years, Russia has, for example, sent drones and clandestine operatives to disrupt European defense production facilities, military bases, and transport infrastructure.

— Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026

Definition of clandestine

Adjective

These were voices—complaining, confiding, exasperated, distressed—that had not been heard before, as if the novel were a speaking tube cued to an underground rumble.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Eden Aurelius is a relatively recent arrival to New York’s underground club scene, but her slim discography so far shows remarkable focus.

— Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of underground

Adjective

During cybersecurity evaluations in May, its models used a covert message board to coordinate across runs, leaving later versions instructions for reaching the open internet.

— Harry Booth, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
The task force is reportedly staffing up with officers who specialize in recruiting informants, intelligence analysis, cyber operations and covert influence campaigns.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of covert

Adjective

Wong haunts the stories of the Floridian smugglers, connected to many of the feuds and undercover operations.

— Rory Doherty, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
There’s a dizzying amount of outlandish behavior going on, from chimps with a taste for cocaine, to a former drug dealer who is devoted to reptiles and on to those who engage in intense undercover sting operations.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of undercover

Adjective

For context, the median private SaaS company generates about $141,000 of revenue per employee, while the leading AI-native companies are running at twenty times that or more.

— Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Greece’s firefighting department said Sunday the fire apparently began from sparks emitted by a faulty power line transporting electricity from a private wind generator facility to the main electricity network.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of private

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.

Browse Nearby Words

hole

hole-and-corner

holed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hole-and-corner.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hole-and-corner. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hole-and-corner

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

anecdote

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes