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
Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
A bit set is also an important addition to your home workshop—look for one with Phillips, square, and star bits to accommodate different types of screws, along with a few drill bits to create pilot holes.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
It’s thoughtfully designed with a central partition to prevent plants from becoming waterlogged and drainage holes for optimal irrigation.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
The Seahawks’ offensive line is strong at tackle but has some holes on its interior.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
The staff had bored holes in the nearby ice to set nets for whitefish and turbot.
—Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Those unable to find cloth or wood dug holes in the ground.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Fill in Mole Holes Another way to make the moles feel unwelcome is to fill their holes with soil, says Bradley.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
The concern was because the final two holes were the most exposed on the course.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The major effect results when the compost penetrates the aeration holes.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Jan. 2026
Some of the roster holes the Lions faced in 2025 will be questions again in 2026.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
In a series of posts made Wednesday on Instagram, Dacoda Nichole Jones accused the former SMU player of domestic violence over the course of several years, posting more than a dozen images that show bruises and wounds on her body, holes in the wall and broken cabinets.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
It can be washed in a machine and has suction cups on the bottom — holes in the mat help drain excess water.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
Bullet holes spider-webbed across the windows, and shattered glass still littered the floor.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
With McFerran’s addition, the Royals have filled their coaching staff holes.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025
Axiom technicians will first identify the potential entry points that pests generally use to enter a home, including small cracks in the foundation, gaps near windows, or holes around plumbing/electrical lines.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
At the city’s public latrines, 36 holes upon which people took their comfort breaks line the walls above a drainage system.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
A bit set is also an important addition to your home workshop—look for one with Phillips, square, and star bits to accommodate different types of screws, along with a few drill bits to create pilot holes.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
It’s thoughtfully designed with a central partition to prevent plants from becoming waterlogged and drainage holes for optimal irrigation.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
The Seahawks’ offensive line is strong at tackle but has some holes on its interior.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
The staff had bored holes in the nearby ice to set nets for whitefish and turbot.
—Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Those unable to find cloth or wood dug holes in the ground.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Fill in Mole Holes Another way to make the moles feel unwelcome is to fill their holes with soil, says Bradley.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
The concern was because the final two holes were the most exposed on the course.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Verb
Some of those trails, initially seen in January, were made by moving dirt to clear a space and creating small mounds and/or holes in the ground to jump over.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The major effect results when the compost penetrates the aeration holes.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Jan. 2026
Some of the roster holes the Lions faced in 2025 will be questions again in 2026.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
In a series of posts made Wednesday on Instagram, Dacoda Nichole Jones accused the former SMU player of domestic violence over the course of several years, posting more than a dozen images that show bruises and wounds on her body, holes in the wall and broken cabinets.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
It can be washed in a machine and has suction cups on the bottom — holes in the mat help drain excess water.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025
Bullet holes spider-webbed across the windows, and shattered glass still littered the floor.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
With McFerran’s addition, the Royals have filled their coaching staff holes.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025
Axiom technicians will first identify the potential entry points that pests generally use to enter a home, including small cracks in the foundation, gaps near windows, or holes around plumbing/electrical lines.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holes
Noun
-
Those after ultimate portability might think 8x25 or 10x25 binoculars are perfect for travel, but in low light, their tiny apertures struggle.—
Jase Parnell-Brookes,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In Stubb’s Cave, strangler-fig roots teemed from ceiling apertures.—
Henry Wismayer,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Hosts are responsible for keeping the campground and fire pits clean, performing basic maintenance, restocking the toilets, and assisting visiting campers with check-in.—
Outside,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
-
On-site pickleball courts are already seeing action, and outdoor fire pits, hammocks, gardens, and a dog park can be found throughout the property’s 11 acres.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Winning from behind is not sustainable, and the predicaments in which Chelsea have found themselves this week point to other problems.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Rustin has slyly given her script a focus on women’s needs and feelings, a welcome departure for a genre that usually is more concerned about the men’s predicaments.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The real conversation should be about accelerating academic growth, closing achievement gaps and supporting educators — not building another bureaucracy.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The aircraft was built with seams and gaps that allowed the metal to expand at extreme speeds and altitudes — an advantage in flight, but a liability on the ground.—
Olivia Gazis,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An increasing number of bears had previously been observed spending more time on land during the summer, plundering birds’ nests in west Svalbard, and data had shown more adult females in east Svalbard spending more time in areas with bird colonies.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Valuable loot has been placed in bird’s nests and chimneys around the map.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Everette, who with punter Brett Thorson and long snapper Beau Gardner are the former Bulldogs competing in Senior Bowl drills this week, is adjusting to life after Georgia football.—
Mike Griffith,
AJC.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.—
Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Construction, which will include an exterior remodeling, is expected to begin later this year with phased openings, including additional retail, dining and wellness concepts, in 2028.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The employment figures come after last week's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, showed a slowdown in job openings, while a separate Labor Department report indicated a jump in unemployment claims.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, sidewall bulges or blisters and dents in wheel rims.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
One of these conditions involves any severe corrosion, dents, or cracks in the pipes.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holes. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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