as in refuges
something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger
her cottage in the Lake District served as her bolt-hole whenever the stresses of London became too great
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Recent Examples of bolt-holes
But other bolt-holes stand out for giving the beds themselves extra attention, distinguishing them in some particularly charming or even surreal way (see beds carved out of literal ice).
—
Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bolt-holes
Noun
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The park preserves not only the trees, but also one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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Cemeteries, in particular, may serve as critical refuges for pollinators at a time when many natural habitats are disappearing.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The new law will prevent the state from placing children in unlicensed homes like shelters, hotels or offices.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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When experienced and motivated staff can continue to work in the homeless response system, more people are placed into housing and spend less time in shelters.—
David Rich,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Mammoth bluffs followed by last-minute retreats only deepened perceptions of inconsistency, further eroding deterrence.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Dubious precautions Mounting interest in the potential benefits of psychedelic drugs has led to a rise in psychedelic retreats around the world.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The rush to secure sites near key transmission lines for battery energy storage systems, or BESS, has led developers to places like Acton, California, a bucolic Los Angeles County town of horse ranches and animal sanctuaries.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
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Guests stay among 86 casitas, cozy sanctuaries with vibrant Mexican textiles and terra cotta tile floors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Independent bookstores are magical havens for the next generation of readers—fostering a community that goes beyond the pages.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
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Some are surf havens with stellar waves, while others cater to families with calm waters and things to do right on the sand.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bolt-holes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bolt-holes. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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