1
as in clutched
to have or keep in one's hands
this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retained
to continue to have in one's possession or power
she, and she alone, held the keys to the mysterious chest
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3
as in believed
to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
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4
5
as in had
to keep in one's mind or heart
still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted
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6
as in owned
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
the same family has held this piece of land for over 100 years
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
as in grasped
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
please hold my arm on these slippery stairs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
10
as in controlled
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
we managed to hold our laughter until we got outside hold your temper until you hear the whole story
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in aimed
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
held the camera on the actor throughout the scene
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of held
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.
—
Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025
Mack held 35 actress and five producer credits during her career, according to the statement posted to CaringBridge.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
That’s different from another type of equity offering held by the NFL.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
One of the duties Lelakes has held at the YMCA is overseeing facilities across the county of San Diego for maintenance and capital improvement projects.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The docuseries will be available to stream beginning Thursday on Prime Video, but an early screening of the second episode was held Monday for a collection of friends, family, business associates and media.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
During 9/11, people walked down the stairs in single file and held the door open for each other.
—Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Ensign said the Department of Homeland Security is complying with the law during deportations, and people could file challenges individually in Texas, where they were held before being sent to El Salvador.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025
Mack held 35 actress and five producer credits during her career, according to the statement posted to CaringBridge.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
That’s different from another type of equity offering held by the NFL.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
One of the duties Lelakes has held at the YMCA is overseeing facilities across the county of San Diego for maintenance and capital improvement projects.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The docuseries will be available to stream beginning Thursday on Prime Video, but an early screening of the second episode was held Monday for a collection of friends, family, business associates and media.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
During 9/11, people walked down the stairs in single file and held the door open for each other.
—Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Ensign said the Department of Homeland Security is complying with the law during deportations, and people could file challenges individually in Texas, where they were held before being sent to El Salvador.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held
Verb
-
Knickers were twisted and pearls clutched.—
Dana O'Neil,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Bars and restaurants were already riddled with screens before everyone at the table also clutched one in their hand.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sarah retained her Duchess of York title following her divorce.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Under the deal, Microsoft has gained a 27% stake and retained access to OpenAI’s technology through 2032, including any AGI models verified by an independent panel.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Schuster said the Fujian is more likely a stepping stone, and China’s next carrier, the Type 004, on which early construction is believed to have begun, will incorporate lessons learned from it.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
De Silva, police noted, was an innocent bystander who was not involved in the quarrel and was not believed to have been the target.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to Teasdale Foods, customers complained that the taco dinner kits contained cocoa mix packets instead of taco seasoning packets.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The bottle contained a handful of pills along with a crystal-like substance.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Upstairs, the primary bedroom had its own balcony with expansive views of the Caribbean Sea and the pool.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Schumer wore a short Miu Miu button-down shirt dress and black heels — and the comments had kind words for her fitness progress.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It’s owned by the Kingdom’s nearly $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund.—
Tala Alrajjal,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Most are locally owned, and several are housed in historic homes, making your stay all the more special.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The great infrastructure projects of the last century included airports, transnational highways, and deep water harbors that accommodated cargo containers.—
Bipul Sinha,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
No strollers allowed, but wheelchairs will be accommodated.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
My teacher grasped my wrists, forcing me to pick it up.—
Erin Silvia,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
This time was his time and with Gordon off the pitch, Woltemade grasped it and clung to it.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Held.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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