loophole
loopholes
A loophole is an accidental technicality or unclear section of a written document that allows someone to avoid following a rule or fulfilling an obligation. If you've discovered a way to get out of paying taxes on money you made last year, you've found a loophole.
There can also be loopholes in politics, where politicians get away with something through a technicality. And if a criminal goes free despite being found guilty of a crime, it might be because of some unforeseen loophole in the law. The original loopholes were narrow slits in a fortress or wall through which defenders could safely shoot arrows — it was seen as an unfair advantage by some, which resulted in the modern meaning of loophole.
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an ambiguity (especially one in the text of a law or contract) that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation
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type of:
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ambiguity
an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context
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ambiguity
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a small hole in a fortified wall; for observation or discharging weapons
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type of:
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hole
an opening deliberately made in or through something
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hole
Vocabulary lists containing loophole
This biography chronicles the life of Sojourner Truth, a woman who was born a slave, and who became the embodiment of the universal ideals of abolition and equality.
After meeting Sasha in the hospital drip room, sixteen-year-old Isabel considers breaking her no-dating rule and giving love a chance.
Eighth-grader Kevin can't help telling lies but when the lies pile up and get him into big trouble, he has to find a way to make things right — and end his lying streak.
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