1
as in aperture
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
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Relevance
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2
as in pit
a sunken area forming a separate space dig a hole big enough to plant the tree
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3
as in predicament
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
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4
as in dump
a dirty or messy place when people see my room, they often ask, "How can you live in this hole?"
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5
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) found a hole in the chain-link fence big enough to squeeze through
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6
7
as in void
an incomplete or deficient area there's a huge hole in your logic
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as in to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in holed the target with a round of shots
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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 hole
Mike Kaye april 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, Illinois now has a big hole to fill with the departure of its leading scorer, along with backcourt mate Kylan Boswell, who is out of eligibility. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026 The penetration holes indicate that the internal facility is likely bombed out, destroying anything that was inside. —CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hole
Noun
There are immediate needs, but there are also holes to fill for the long-term improvement of the squad. —Mike Kaye april 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, Illinois now has a big hole to fill with the departure of its leading scorer, along with backcourt mate Kylan Boswell, who is out of eligibility. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Steak knives are one of those kitchen items that get pigeon-holed into the niche tool category thanks to their name. —Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026 The penetration holes indicate that the internal facility is likely bombed out, destroying anything that was inside. —CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hole
Noun
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In keeping with that wide aperture, this year’s event will feature musicians Sara Bareilles, Peter Frampton, Alicia Keys, The LOX, and Mumford & Sons, as well as sports notables Carmelo Anthony, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
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Day, date, and month are aligned in a single aperture.— Stephen Watson, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And the best way to get that track position is to leapfrog others on pit road.— Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
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There’s al fresco dining for eight and a fire-pit meant for roasting s’mores.— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After realizing their predicament, the couple was forced to swim to a buoy about a mile from shore.— Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
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The inward-looking nature of the melancholy Dane — conflicted and cocooned in his thoughts, paralyzed by his own intelligence, while the world constantly reflects back to him his own psychological predicament — feels oddly suited for our solipsistic times.— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And just like there would be a fee to drop waste off at the dump, there’s a fee to leave materials at EcoSet – starting at $350 for a vanload, up to $2200 or more for a large scenic trailer’s-worth.— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
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Drawing vast amounts of energy from the planet dumps vast amounts of waste heat back into the biosphere.— Big Think, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This time, there wasn’t nearly as long of a gap between scoring outbursts.— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
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The deal is Ascentium’s most recent in more than a dozen acquisitions, plugging a gap in the company’s mainland China coverage while deepening its footprint in hot Southeast Asian growth markets.— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit group that oversees the webcam trained on the couple’s nest, announced Wednesday that name submissions are being accepted through April 26 on the group’s website.— Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
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Murres typically spend all their time in the open ocean, only coming to shore to breed and nest.— Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The league was formed in the 1940s to fill the void left by male players who went off to fight in World War II.— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
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Stukes could help replace the size/speed void left by Riq Woolen while also offering some safety flexibility after Coby Bryant’s departure.— Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Right-hander Logan Webb drilled Rushing in the ribs with a pitch in the sixth inning Thursday.— Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
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Bumila struck out the side in each of the first three innings, but the Tigers finally made decent contact in the fourth when Joey Benoit drilled a grounder to second that was converted for an out by Nolan Harvey.— Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/hole. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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