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
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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
Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Of the more than 40 million annual visitors to the state, about a quarter seek outdoor recreation, including fishing at the state’s extensive network of fishing holes—rivers like the Missouri and Mississippi, as well as more than 2,700 lakes—meaning a stop at Bass Pro is almost always in order.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
That’s exactly what Korda did over the final three holes.
—Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 7 June 2026
His vehicle had multiple bullet holes, including one through the windshield, the sheriff's office says.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Buttons require holes, a hood must be attached to the back of a garment, a zipper worked into a seam or hidden amongst pleats requires more pattern making and construction time.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Republicans, however, aren’t immune to running candidates with holes in their résumés.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
Next, move the bolts to a lower set of holes to raise the cutting height or a higher set of holes to lower it.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
Russell Henley birdied the final four holes, including in a sudden death playoff, to win the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday at Colonial Country Club.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2026
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
Space the planting holes 18 to 24 inches apart and space rows 3 to 6 feet apart.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
The flight attendants then attempted to solve the problem by shoving napkins inside the ceiling holes.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Mirroring the 3-star wig cap structure, this wig featured three combs (left-side, right-side, nape), a drawstring, wig band insertion holes, and a 13×4 lace.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
The penetration holes indicate that the internal facility is likely bombed out, destroying anything that was inside.
—CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
How to Limit Attraction Sealing unwanted tiny cracks, gaps in doors or windows, or utility lines, and holes around the home is one of the best ways to prevent ants from gaining access in the first place.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026
But some backpacks are better for travel than others, perhaps designed with isolated shoe compartments, holes to feed your phone charging cable through, jewelry pouches, and special materials that simply wipe clean after picking up germs from public floors.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
The San Francisco 49ers head into free agency with roughly $38 million in salary-cap space — 11th most in the NFL — and holes all over their roster.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
After making par on each of the first nine holes, Lopez made her move on the back with four birdies.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Of the more than 40 million annual visitors to the state, about a quarter seek outdoor recreation, including fishing at the state’s extensive network of fishing holes—rivers like the Missouri and Mississippi, as well as more than 2,700 lakes—meaning a stop at Bass Pro is almost always in order.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
That’s exactly what Korda did over the final three holes.
—Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 7 June 2026
His vehicle had multiple bullet holes, including one through the windshield, the sheriff's office says.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Buttons require holes, a hood must be attached to the back of a garment, a zipper worked into a seam or hidden amongst pleats requires more pattern making and construction time.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Republicans, however, aren’t immune to running candidates with holes in their résumés.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
Next, move the bolts to a lower set of holes to raise the cutting height or a higher set of holes to lower it.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
Russell Henley birdied the final four holes, including in a sudden death playoff, to win the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday at Colonial Country Club.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2026
Verb
Caulk holes around plumbing and sewer lines where roaches are likely to enter.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
Space the planting holes 18 to 24 inches apart and space rows 3 to 6 feet apart.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
The flight attendants then attempted to solve the problem by shoving napkins inside the ceiling holes.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Mirroring the 3-star wig cap structure, this wig featured three combs (left-side, right-side, nape), a drawstring, wig band insertion holes, and a 13×4 lace.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
The penetration holes indicate that the internal facility is likely bombed out, destroying anything that was inside.
—CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
How to Limit Attraction Sealing unwanted tiny cracks, gaps in doors or windows, or utility lines, and holes around the home is one of the best ways to prevent ants from gaining access in the first place.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026
But some backpacks are better for travel than others, perhaps designed with isolated shoe compartments, holes to feed your phone charging cable through, jewelry pouches, and special materials that simply wipe clean after picking up germs from public floors.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
The San Francisco 49ers head into free agency with roughly $38 million in salary-cap space — 11th most in the NFL — and holes all over their roster.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holes
Noun
-
Wide-angle lenses and low apertures are also ideal for shooting photos of the aurora.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Also on the periphery are four apertures showing the hours, minutes, day, and date.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In a third and final scenario — the one designed to test insight — the team moved the flower from the floor to the ceiling, just above one of four pits shaped to accommodate the ball.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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More generally, cottonmouths have broad heads and dark stripes that run through their eyes, as well as deep facial pits between their eyes and nostrils.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Rather than bridging shortfalls, both Seattle and Washington now face more difficult fiscal predicaments, Joblon said.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
18 May 2026
-
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fill in some of the scientific gaps about our solar system and the universe beyond with us.—
Regina G. Barber,
NPR,
29 May 2026
-
Find opportunities for legislative or policy fixes to address gaps in the law that limit the state's ability to intervene effectively.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Some said the city failed to adequately seek public outreach and ignored their concerns about potential harm to turtle nests.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Since 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act has prevented interference with native birds, and their nests and eggs are protected, too.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The two countries conducted joint nuclear forces drills earlier this month.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Minnesota has a desire to get Edwards off the ball more next season to create more of the easy catch-and-shoot looks the superstar routinely drills.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
26 May 2026
Noun
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On Wednesday, Rollins urged pet owners to keep a close watch for signs of discomfort, open wounds or larvae or eggs near body openings.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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This hotel is the seventh outpost from the brand, which debuted in Milan in 2004 and has since grown to include properties in London, Bali, Beijing, Shanghai, and Dubai; new openings in Rome, Moscow, Tokyo, and more are slated to open between 2022 and 2025.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Ideal for dressers, doors, desks, and even hardwood floors, the kit includes six markers for surface-level touchups in shades like cherry, walnut, and mahogany, plus six wax sticks to fill deeper dents and gouges.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
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From there, observe any dents, soft spots or cracks.—
Alexandra Frost,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holes. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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