Synonyms of hold
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as in to grip 
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as in to keep
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as in to think
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as in to contain
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as in to have
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as in to retain
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as in to accommodate
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as in to grasp
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as in to consider
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as in to regulate
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as in to aim
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as in grip
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as in stronghold
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as in sway
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as in contact
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as in jail
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as in understanding
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as in imprisonment
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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
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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
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3
as in to think
to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
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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
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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
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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
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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
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11
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
held the camera on the actor throughout the scene
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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
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2
as in stronghold
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the ruins of an ancient Roman hold
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3
as in sway
the right or means to command or control others
the government has no hold over where we live and work
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The Forty Mile Tattoo Convention will be held Friday, July 25, to Sunday, July 27, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento, 3317 Forty Mile Road in Wheatland.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 May 2025
There’s also a customizable focus hold button that can be assigned with other functions using the camera menu.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Ezra Levin, the head of Indivisible, a grassroots movement associated with the movement, told the Jim Acosta Show that an upcoming coordinated protest on June 14, President Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day, would take place in areas away from where Trump is holding a parade.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The Forty Mile Tattoo Convention will be held Friday, July 25, to Sunday, July 27, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento, 3317 Forty Mile Road in Wheatland.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
Three weeks after Skydance paused new spending on a series starring and executive produced by Jeremy Strong and written and executive produced by Tobias Lindholm and Frank Pugliese, the high-profile drama has been put on hold, sources tell Deadline.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 May 2025
There’s also a customizable focus hold button that can be assigned with other functions using the camera menu.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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Adapted from the Danish novels by Scott Frank (The Queen’s Gambit), the Netflix series is a gripping yarn about the yoke of guilt and the unwavering patience of redemption.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
30 May 2025
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His gripped his white wine like a potion, delivering hope.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Cruising Altitude: Air traffic control keeps planes moving.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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London kept control of the archipelago and renamed it as the British Indian Ocean Territory.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Designing and planning your garden requires thinking about when and what to grow.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
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The fire is thought to have originated from natural causes.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
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But decades of poor water management, which have dried up lakes, rivers, and wetlands that once helped contain these storms, have turned sand and dust storms into a pressing challenge for the region, with many consequences.—
Sanam Mahoozi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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For example, foods containing the slow-release carbohydrate sweetener sucromalt help people with diabetes prevent blood sugar spikes, and hypoallergenic infant formula can be lifesaving for infants that cannot digest milk at a young age.—
Paul Dawson,
The Conversation,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Billy has had an illustrious career over the years.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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As symbols of Floyd’s place in history have faded, so too have hopes for federal police reform, commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion and American optimism about the future of racial justice.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
Verb
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So far, the second-term Trump Administration has scrubbed federal websites, limited reporters’ access, and used disappearing-message apps for high-level communications that typically should be retained for posterity.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
23 May 2025
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While the physical manuscripts have returned to China and will go on view at the National Museum of China in July, the Smithsonian will retain digital versions of the documents for further research.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Each block is meant to accommodate a building with ground-floor storefronts topped by either residential units or office space and each with its own parking structure.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2025
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Bleacher capacity will increase from 1,886 people to 2,750 to accommodate larger crowds for football games, future graduation ceremonies and band competitions.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Officials have expressed concern about a lack of formal training, and there is an apprehension that podcasters might not always grasp the nuances of criminal investigations or the implications of publicizing sensitive information.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 May 2025
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The ban on offensive players from pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping or encircling a runner was supported by a 22-10 vote, according to a person with knowledge of the proceedings, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the details weren’t made public.—
Dave Campbell,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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