holes up

present tense third-person singular of hole up
as in hides
to remain out of sight we'll hole up in the cellar and wait out the hurricane

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of holes up But repeating 14-3 and a trip to the Super Bowl feels highly unlikely with the Patriots having a much tougher schedule and needing to plug holes up front on defense. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 The floor-length dress featured a cross-stitched halterneck, a netted bodice and a floor-length lace skirt with holes up and down her legs. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 May 2026 Drilling into your home’s exterior is rarely a good idea, and patching any holes up is an absolute must. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 Feb. 2026 Adelaida holes up in her mother’s apartment, unable to bring herself to pack up or even sort through her things, ignoring the banging and shouting from the street below. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 In this Canadian oddity, the fictional band Triton holes up in a farmhouse to record their new album. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025 Now on the run after escaping from prison, Manchester holes up in a local Toys R’ Us for several months. — Katherine Singh, Refinery29, 9 Sep. 2025 Canes defenders gave Notre Dame receivers too much cushion in coverage, the interior of the defense allowed too many holes up the middle and linebacker Mohamed Toure busted coverage on Eli Raridon’s 65-yard catch and run, setting up Carr’s 7-yard run for the tying touchdown. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025 Quick and decisive in the middle of the Pondo defense, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior has the power to shed blockers and plug holes up front, and the speed to track down ball-carriers on the edge. — Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holes up
Verb
  • Rank buildings by attrition instead of averaging across the district because the average is exactly what hides a building in crisis.
    — Kellie Lauth, Forbes.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Along the way, Bryan gets bit by a zombie but hides the wound, which slowly infects him.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Clements sets the scene with lively pop music and excellent period-specific costuming, though darkness lurks beneath the funky 1970s groove.
    — Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
  • The legend begins with Cardellini’s Voorhees, as something still lurks in the woods, only knowing how to kill.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In South Africa’s northernmost province, under a cavernous expanse of jagged gray rock, lies a mineral treasure trove that could play a pivotal role in the country’s relationship with global superpowers.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Inside the glass vial lies the successor to the French company’s award-winning hair tonic, amped up with research into how the scalp’s microbiome influences your locks.
    — Dan Michel, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Holes up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holes%20up. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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