holing up

Definition of holing upnext
present participle of hole up
as in lurking
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 holing up But after holing up Sunday in his apartment 90 steps from the beach in the historic Zona Romantica, Eure was ready to venture outside. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026 Amir and Miri share their memories of holing up in a lightless, airless concrete room with two children under the age of 5, trying desperately to remain quiet. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025 Now teens were holing up in garages across America in an attempt to create their own versions of the Fab Four. Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025 And at the very least, Damour said, kids won’t get a chance to develop the habit of holing up in their bedroom with their phone and never coming out. Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holing up
Verb
  • Sunderland are lurking and, perhaps for the first time under Howe’s management, Newcastle are in deficit, needing a response (yet again) after a chastening night in Europe.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Wacky weather may still be lurking, but the ice on Indianapolis' concert calendar is starting to thaw.
    Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The lender is also alleging the whiskey company is hiding a receipt of a $20 million loan, in part, from rapper and businessman Jay-Z.
    Stephanie Kuzydym, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Surveillance video later showed Coogler hiding in a nearby backyard shortly after the shooting.
    Richard Ramos, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Latto has been lying low for the past few months, but Big Mama is back on the scene.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The man is later seen lying motionless on the street as bystanders and police attempt to wake him.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Holing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holing%20up. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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