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
Brody Miller, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
McIlory remained steady, parring the final seven holes, but failed to gain ground.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Some chew holes in the carrot itself; others dine on the greens.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
Root rot is caused by overwatering or poor drainage, either because the potting mix is old or the pot lacks proper drainage holes.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Feb. 2026
Bridgeman finished at 18-under 266 and didn’t make a birdie over the final 15 holes.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026
If your egg carton doesn't have holes at the bottom of each cup already, start by poking a couple into each.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Bhatia made it through 47 holes of this signature event until his first bogey when the strengthening wind sent his tee shot well over the green on the par-3 12th.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
The Unknown The Broncos do have a talented core set to return in 2026, but there are some holes to fill in the run game.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
But Snead also promised to take an aggressive approach to the cornerback position, given the low investments, lack of recent draft picks and holes the group showed as the season played out.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
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
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
Noun
For most of Sunday, Bridgeman played golf stuck in neutral, par golf through 15 holes with nobody — not even McIlroy — truly providing pressure.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
McIlory remained steady, parring the final seven holes, but failed to gain ground.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Some chew holes in the carrot itself; others dine on the greens.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
Root rot is caused by overwatering or poor drainage, either because the potting mix is old or the pot lacks proper drainage holes.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Feb. 2026
Bridgeman finished at 18-under 266 and didn’t make a birdie over the final 15 holes.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026
If your egg carton doesn't have holes at the bottom of each cup already, start by poking a couple into each.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
Bhatia made it through 47 holes of this signature event until his first bogey when the strengthening wind sent his tee shot well over the green on the par-3 12th.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
The Unknown The Broncos do have a talented core set to return in 2026, but there are some holes to fill in the run game.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
Pierce holes in the cake so that the Bourbon Glaze can soak in.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
But Snead also promised to take an aggressive approach to the cornerback position, given the low investments, lack of recent draft picks and holes the group showed as the season played out.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holes
Noun
-
In one of them, iron-rich spring water flows through a row of apertures in a stone retaining wall, staining it over time with rust-red residue.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
With fire pits on the beach, showers and a front-row view of the sun sinking into the Pacific, Mike and Nicole Wirth had no complaint about their $45 overnights at Dockweiler Beach.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Apple seeds and peach pits are an example of a seed that is not true-to-type.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 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 study’s authors issued a broader call to action about the gaps in our understanding of biodiversity.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Designed to fill existing gaps Several MSR concepts are currently under development globally.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Why neighbors are pushing back During last month’s meeting, residents raised concerns about traffic, sea turtle nests and construction that could damage nearby buildings.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The city says their work also preserves the shape of the beach above the high-water line to help turtles figure out where the appropriate nesting areas are, lessening the risk of their nests being too close to high-traffic areas.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 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
-
December job openings fell to their lowest level since 2020 despite the stock market rallying further, data shows.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In January, The Denver Post called Leven Supply one of the biggest restaurant openings of 2025.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fill in any deeper scratches or dents with a wax wood repair kit to match.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, sidewall bulges or blisters and dents in wheel rims.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holes. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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