Synonyms of hold
-
as in to grip 
-
as in to keep
-
as in to think
-
as in to contain
-
as in to have
-
as in to retain
-
as in to accommodate
-
as in to grasp
-
as in to consider
-
as in to regulate
-
as in to aim
-
as in grip
-
as in stronghold
-
as in sway
-
as in contact
-
as in jail
-
as in understanding
-
as in imprisonment
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
1
as in to grip
to have or keep in one's hands
this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to keep
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 to think
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
5
as in to have
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 to retain
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
8
as in to grasp
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
10
as in to regulate
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 to aim
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
1
as in grip
the act or manner of holding
make sure you have a firm hold on the chain saw before you turn it on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stronghold
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the ruins of an ancient Roman hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sway
the right or means to command or control others
the government has no hold over where we live and work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in contact
the state or fact of being able to exchange information regarding one's current situation
I worry that I won't be able to get hold of you in an emergency
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
upon hearing the guilty verdict, the accused realized that he would lie in that godforsaken hold for the remainder of his life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
I need to get hold of the situation before planning a course of action
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in imprisonment
the state of being held in lawful custody
a suspected terrorist who was abducted at an airport and put in hold at an undisclosed location
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 hold
Hanna Park, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Should projections hold, the new release will land one of the lower openings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 3 May 2025
Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Cohen said these firings have put studies on hold and have greatly reduced the capacity of the federal government to review research.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
All four fled when uniformed officers arrived, and the 18-year-old was seen holding a handgun, the chief said.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Should projections hold, the new release will land one of the lower openings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 3 May 2025
Noun
Hydro Grip Gel Tint by Milk Makeup: For those who love a lightweight tint for summer, this long wear gel version offers light to medium coverage with hold (for up to 8-12 hours) and hydration.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Cohen said these firings have put studies on hold and have greatly reduced the capacity of the federal government to review research.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
-
Biden was also seen being escorted to his seat by his wife and a priest, gripping onto both and moving cautiously.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
And the man’s mother in tears recalling her son, a Boston police officer whose death is at the heart of a trial gripping the nation.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The aviation industry expects the exemption to help companies keep costs down during a sharp pullback in travel spending by consumers worried about slower economic growth and higher inflation.—
Rajesh Kumar Singh,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Factors To Consider The first step in a laundry routine that is a bit more forgiving of a time lapse between cycles is all about keeping a clean washing machine.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The workshop acknowledges that people usually think of consent and boundaries in extreme terms.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Some say this is a sign of Andor continuing to tackle tough issues the rest of Star Wars doesn’t, and others think that shouldn’t be a topic touched on in Star Wars at all, ever.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
So Koester compiled a database that now contains more than 500,000 missing person searches dating back to the 1970s.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
-
Summary The gut microbiome contains many microorganisms.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
The movie set, like all others, should have only had blanks on hand, but somehow a number of live rounds made their way to the location and one such bullet ended up in the gun that went off as Hutchins and Baldwin lined up a shot in an old church.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
Elsewhere, Colorado does have strict policies in place for its athletics Hall of Fame.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Current borrowers should retain access to IBR, depending on legislative outcomes.—
Robert Farrington,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Even nestled into a tortilla with hot eggs, cheese and steam, the potatoes retain their crunch on the drive home.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
These stylish privacy plants for decks accommodate all gardening styles, working equally well in containers and garden beds.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
-
The winery accommodates small groups only and does not permit large vehicles such as limos or party buses.—
Rachel King,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Any of these health problems can lead you to miss a bill payment or fail to grasp that word on the tip of your tongue.—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
1 May 2025
-
The piece was impossible to grasp in its totality, much as the forces contributing to the deterioration of the environment are difficult for us as humans to apprehend, which pushes us toward inaction or neglect.—
Naima Morelli,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share