HOLED UP Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

holed up

verb

past tense of hole up

as in hid

to remain out of sight we'll hole up in the cellar and wait out the hurricane

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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 holed up While in town, Allen spent all day holed up in his hotel suite writing scripts for future films. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Once their picks were narrowed to 10 (or 15 for the performers), a group of 500 panelists holed up in the org’s North Hollywood headquarters to watch episodes and choose the eventual nominees. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 Wareheim — whose surrealist, absurdist work across film and television as an actor, writer, director and producer reshaped contemporary comedy — lately has been holed up at all hours at this sprawling indoor-outdoor compound called Serpentine. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026 That was a hint to Latin Mafia and Fred meeting up in Mexico City where they’re currently holed up in a studio with Benjy. — Lucas Villa, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026 The reason he’s been holed up in his room and acting differently doesn’t have to do with a victimless traffic violation. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 July 2026 On the day of our video chat, Alejandro and Estevan—currently on tour with Jack Johnson—are spending a morning holed up in their hotel rooms and understandably side-eyeing TVs in the background. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 July 2026 Audiophiles can spend their days holed up in the dedicated music-listening room, while children have their own hideaway, a playroom equipped with a climbing wall, monkey bars, a swing, and a floor that is both padded and heated. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 July 2026 Out and about The Dutch players were not interested in staying holed up in the Cascade Hotel when not training. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holed up

lurked

Verb

The city of Atlanta has jurisdiction over Hartsfield-Jackson, but the threat of a state takeover of the world’s busiest airport has lurked in the background of Georgia politics for years.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 5 Aug. 2026
But concerns lurked beneath the surface of an otherwise positive report.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of lurked

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holed

holed up

holes

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“Holed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holed%20up. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of holed up

verb

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