1
as in apertures
a place in a surface allowing passage into or through a thing
line up the pegs on section A with the holes in section B and press the two together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pits
a sunken area forming a separate space
dig a hole big enough to plant the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in predicaments
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
Bill dug himself into a hole by promising to be in two places at the same time
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in dumps
a dirty or messy place
when people see my room, they often ask, "How can you live in this hole?"
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in gaps
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
found a hole in the chain-link fence big enough to squeeze through
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in drills
to make a hole or series of holes in
holed the target with a round of shots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holes
Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
The ozone layer has historically provided a critical defense between the potentially harmful rays of the sun and the people who live on the Earth’s surface, but climate change has served to weaken it, even causing holes within it in certain areas.
—William Jones, Ascend Agency, 11 Nov. 2025
Stammen and Preller have already begun discussing filling holes on the staff left by hitting coach Victor Rodriguez (Astros) and third base coach Tim Leiper (Mets) departing.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
This set includes six hangers, each designed with five holes that can hold five garments both horizontally (up to 6 pounds) and vertically (up to 8 pounds).
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
Paqueta and Fernandes shared the workload in plugging those holes — see the former dropping in to cover for an advancing Wan-Bissaka in the example shown below.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Software designed to fix security holes was not installed, and the company failed to enforce a policy that ensured employees used secure passwords.
—Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Only donate clean clothes in good condition; items with holes or rips should be tossed, recycled, or repurposed into cleaning rags.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
To prevent water buildup that could block energy generation, the researchers added micro drainage holes that let water flow downward but not upward, and keep the surface clear for droplet impacts.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
And the rise of insurance money in investing has created patient capital that in many cases fits those money holes better than blunter instruments.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Drill small pilot holes a half inch from the sides of the board.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Bullet holes in a window at the KXTV offices in Sacramento.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Bullet holes through a window at the ABC10 building in Sacramento.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
Despite what many baseball fans think, the Dodgers do have holes to fill in their lineup.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
The ozone layer has historically provided a critical defense between the potentially harmful rays of the sun and the people who live on the Earth’s surface, but climate change has served to weaken it, even causing holes within it in certain areas.
—William Jones, Ascend Agency, 11 Nov. 2025
Stammen and Preller have already begun discussing filling holes on the staff left by hitting coach Victor Rodriguez (Astros) and third base coach Tim Leiper (Mets) departing.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
This set includes six hangers, each designed with five holes that can hold five garments both horizontally (up to 6 pounds) and vertically (up to 8 pounds).
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
Paqueta and Fernandes shared the workload in plugging those holes — see the former dropping in to cover for an advancing Wan-Bissaka in the example shown below.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Software designed to fix security holes was not installed, and the company failed to enforce a policy that ensured employees used secure passwords.
—Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Only donate clean clothes in good condition; items with holes or rips should be tossed, recycled, or repurposed into cleaning rags.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
To prevent water buildup that could block energy generation, the researchers added micro drainage holes that let water flow downward but not upward, and keep the surface clear for droplet impacts.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
With key free agents and holes opening across the roster, the Jays will have to find the same formula that nearly lifted them to a title.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
And the rise of insurance money in investing has created patient capital that in many cases fits those money holes better than blunter instruments.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Drill small pilot holes a half inch from the sides of the board.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Bullet holes in a window at the KXTV offices in Sacramento.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Bullet holes through a window at the ABC10 building in Sacramento.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holes
Noun
-
These Celestron Skymaster 20x80 binoculars let in enough light for regular skywatching, thanks to their massive 80mm apertures.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Similarly, in astronomy, larger apertures, advances in photography and spectroscopy, the development of multi-wavelength astronomy beyond the visible light spectrum, and the first space telescopes all brought in new observational data that upended many pre-existing ideas.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an alert in December 2024 warning against using fire pits that burn alcohol or liquid fuels due to the devices violating a voluntary safety standard.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Rubbish pits also contained various food waste, including animal bones and oyster shells.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Pakistan Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said his nation was hoping for more of a consensus going into Tuesday’s vote given the funding predicaments and operational issues that have dogged the MSS.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Is River in desperate need of some R&R, or is everyone else projecting their own predicaments onto him?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There were gaps and cracks at the metal flashing joints throughout the cook lines.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
As financial inequality widens, Vivian Tu, SoFi’s new Chief of Financial Empowerment is tackling the systemic gaps traditional advice ignores.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Includes quirky facts, adages, advice, quotes and proverbs, as well as articles about mistletoe, bird nests, perennials, timekeeping, recipes and more.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Professionals use cameras to see every nook and cranny, checking for damage, nests, or buildup.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
-
If New England drills the Dolphins, head coach Mike McDaniel might not make it to Week 3.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Disney owns nine of the top 10 Thanksgiving 5-day openings.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In the early 2000s, as the labor shortage grew amid a building boom, immigrants were filling many of the openings, especially in residential construction.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Even worse, scratches, dents, and imperfections can stand out dramatically.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The roomy, high-cut ABS shell fits a variety of head shapes and shrugs off dents, while adjustable sizing ensures comfort.—
Outside,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holes. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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