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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of holes
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
On Tuesday, the league announced that from the upcoming season, all LIV events will be played over four days and 72 holes.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Sad and Beautiful World finds Mavis, 86, exploring, rediscovering, and poking holes at her lifetime of righteous optimism.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
The days of the team vying at the top of the free-agent market may have ended, placing more of a burden on Preller to use his productivity in crafting trades to plug holes in the roster.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
To plant the cutting or purchased plant, choose a pot that’s at least 8 inches deep and about 10 to 12 inches wide to accommodate growth, with plenty of drainage holes to let water escape.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Jaret Patterson found some holes Vidal didn’t.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
The home was shot at twice and the bullet holes appeared to come from a rifle because of their smaller size, the affidavit said.
—Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 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
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
On Tuesday, the league announced that from the upcoming season, all LIV events will be played over four days and 72 holes.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Sad and Beautiful World finds Mavis, 86, exploring, rediscovering, and poking holes at her lifetime of righteous optimism.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
The days of the team vying at the top of the free-agent market may have ended, placing more of a burden on Preller to use his productivity in crafting trades to plug holes in the roster.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
To plant the cutting or purchased plant, choose a pot that’s at least 8 inches deep and about 10 to 12 inches wide to accommodate growth, with plenty of drainage holes to let water escape.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Jaret Patterson found some holes Vidal didn’t.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
The home was shot at twice and the bullet holes appeared to come from a rifle because of their smaller size, the affidavit said.
—Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 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
-
Professionals use cameras to see every nook and cranny, checking for damage, nests, or buildup.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The animals head closer to the banks to spawn, and make sure to defend their nests, the outlet stated.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 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 9 Nov. 2025.
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