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
Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
This is because poor soil or weak drainage—like using pots without drainage holes, one of many common mistakes of growing tomatoes in containers—can lead to root rot, nutrient deficiencies, and stunted growth, Omelchenko says.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026
There may be four to five flat entrance holes to burrows concentrated in a small area.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Her play helped carry the Gators, ranked third nationally, to the top of the leaderboard after 54 holes of stroke play.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
Graves lie empty, with large rectangular holes where the dead have been exhumed.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Kim, a 13-time winner on the LPGA Tour, fired her second straight 7-under-par 65, leaving her at 14-under through 36 holes, giving her a one shot lead over first-round leader Chizzy Iwai, who followed her opening-round 63 with a 4-under 68 on Friday.
—Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
Working from his own screenplay, Cronin barrels over the gaping plot holes — a doctor might have some thoughts here — and gets to the good stuff with the family at home in squirm-inducing close quarters, a live-in demon resting in her bedroom.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Finally, some adherents to the rocks-in-the-bottom-of-pots philosophy claim that those pieces help by keeping potting mix from falling through the pot’s drain holes.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Apr. 2026
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
There are plenty of other positions where the Giants can invest in talent and leadership, and holes on the roster to fill.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
The posts included more than a dozen images that showed bruises and other wounds on her body, holes in the wall and broken cabinets.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Pierce holes in the cake so that the Bourbon Glaze can soak in.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
Round pegs found round holes all over the pitch.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
This is because poor soil or weak drainage—like using pots without drainage holes, one of many common mistakes of growing tomatoes in containers—can lead to root rot, nutrient deficiencies, and stunted growth, Omelchenko says.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026
There may be four to five flat entrance holes to burrows concentrated in a small area.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Her play helped carry the Gators, ranked third nationally, to the top of the leaderboard after 54 holes of stroke play.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
Graves lie empty, with large rectangular holes where the dead have been exhumed.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Kim, a 13-time winner on the LPGA Tour, fired her second straight 7-under-par 65, leaving her at 14-under through 36 holes, giving her a one shot lead over first-round leader Chizzy Iwai, who followed her opening-round 63 with a 4-under 68 on Friday.
—Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
Working from his own screenplay, Cronin barrels over the gaping plot holes — a doctor might have some thoughts here — and gets to the good stuff with the family at home in squirm-inducing close quarters, a live-in demon resting in her bedroom.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Finally, some adherents to the rocks-in-the-bottom-of-pots philosophy claim that those pieces help by keeping potting mix from falling through the pot’s drain holes.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
There are plenty of other positions where the Giants can invest in talent and leadership, and holes on the roster to fill.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
The posts included more than a dozen images that showed bruises and other wounds on her body, holes in the wall and broken cabinets.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Pierce holes in the cake so that the Bourbon Glaze can soak in.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holes
Noun
-
Edges and corners are soft at wide apertures.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The new Calibre 1150 was designed using 3-D modeling such that nearly all functions are easily engaged and adjusted via three pushers fitted within and flanking the crown, while all calendar functions are displayed via dedicated apertures in order to minimize visual clutter.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There is no federal safety standard for hydrogen sulfide except for workers at sites where the risk is extreme, such as wastewater treatment plants or manure pits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Additional festivities at the inaugural Barkchella include a make-your-own bandana station, a friendship bracelet crafting area, art for sale from Ohana Aura, apparel from Duvin and a chill zone away from the energy of the stage with fire pits and a teepee for relaxing.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Journeys that used to take entire seasons were being covered in single episodes, characters survived predicaments that once meant surefire death, and previously relevant factors like supplies, infrastructure, and alliances no longer mattered.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Bloodzebra shows there’s much meaning to be gleaned in the gaps between surface and interior.—
James Gui,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
-
However, a lack of variety may lead to nutrient gaps if your meal isn’t well-balanced across food groups.—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But even the entry-level Superior Rooms offer good-sized nests for a Florentine sojourn, and there is no such thing as a small bathroom in this establishment (or one, come to that, without enough marble to carve a David).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
According to LaGreco, penguin chicks stay in their nests with their parents for about three months before venturing out.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Skeleton drills with rags hanging from their shorts.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nine more shows are in previews, with openings all on or before April 26.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Gophers currently have eight total openings, including effectively five scholarship spots for next season.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Protective bumpers on the front and back help guard against scratches and dents, while four smooth-rolling wheels keep things moving effortlessly through crowded terminals.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Inspectors will seek out all sidewalk cracks that are at least half an inch tall or more than an inch wide and all dents and defects that are two inches wide and one inch deep, according to the staff report.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holes. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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