1
as in ruling
a decision made by a court or tribunal regarding a case it has heard
the court's holding was based on an interpretation of the First Amendment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in possession
usually holdings plural
transportable items that one owns
the museum's holdings of ancient manuscripts are among the rarest in the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in clutching
to have or keep in one's hands
this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in keeping
to continue to have in one's possession or power
she, and she alone, held the keys to the mysterious chest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in thinking
to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in containing
to have within
the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in having
to keep in one's mind or heart
still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in owning
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
the same family has held this piece of land for over 100 years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in accommodating
to make or have room for
the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in grasping
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
please hold my arm on these slippery stairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in considering
to think of in a particular way
held to be the best blueberry pies in the state
Synonyms & Similar Words
10
as in controlling
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in aiming
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
held the camera on the actor throughout the scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of holding
Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile small crowds of Palestinians gathered on the street to sing, dance, and celebrate the cease-fire announcement, even as many in Gaza remain cautious about the cease-fire holding.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Some of these coins feature a bishop holding a crozier in his right hand, as noted in the press release.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
There are 450 crypto centimillionaires, or those with crypto holdings of $100 million or more, and 36 crypto billionaires, according to the report.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile small crowds of Palestinians gathered on the street to sing, dance, and celebrate the cease-fire announcement, even as many in Gaza remain cautious about the cease-fire holding.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Many jeered and whistled Israel’s national anthem, too, holding aloft more Palestinian flags and red cards.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Some of these coins feature a bishop holding a crozier in his right hand, as noted in the press release.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
First, understand what the ruling means.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Both liberals and conservatives now reshape government through executive power and Supreme Court rulings instead of formal amendments, which undermines democratic participation.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Commanders were forced to punt on the ensuing possession after the touchdown, and the Bears got the ball back but went three-and-out, giving it right back to the Commanders.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Rates in major cities like Milan, Paris and New York are at all-time highs, and guests are increasingly prioritizing experiences over possessions.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the clip, Miska is surrounded by blankets, clutching a plush toy, and resting peacefully as the swing rocks gently.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The prisoner organization posted a video on social media of Bseis being reunited with his relatives, with one woman breaking down in tears and clutching a smiling Bseis' arm.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That might be called keeping your options open, but considering Martin has written comedy and now drama, releases music, writes books, co-hosts a popular podcast and has also started selling their artwork, these ambitions don’t feel lofty.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Relax by the wood-burning stove or in the bath that offers superb vistas of the water—all while keeping an eye out for wildlife, including sheep.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Through it all, Safdie kept thinking about the Kerr project, eventually buying a copy of a yellow Nautica sweatshirt Kerr wears in an HBO documentary about his career and sending it to Johnson.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
-
An apparently healthy woman in her early 40s might not be whom one pictures when thinking of colon cancer.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By comparing two types of borosilicate glass, one containing magnesium and one without, the team discovered that the diffusion of boron atoms depends strongly on the glass composition and the time it has been exposed to water.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
And then the English joined in, claiming that Joseph of Arimathea brought the holy grail containing the blood and sweat of the crucified Christ to Glastonbury.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Two weeks after an upset loss to visiting Cal Poly and a week after having a off-night bye to think about a season that could go either way, Sacramento State delivered a resounding 55-27 victory over Weber State on Saturday night in chilly Ogden, Utah.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The protests are organized by progressive organization Indivisible, with cities having their own branch.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This level of caring and personal openness—owning mistakes is part of being present as a whole person—filters into the business culture.—
Adam Gale,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
There are several toys my daughter is still obsessed with after owning them for years, including a dinosaur dig sensory bin, an adorable wooden tea set, and a Lego Duplo set.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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