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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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
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Although injuries have held him out of 16 games, Curry is still one of the top players in the NBA.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
The town had been working on a budget and source of funds for new playscapes, then COVID hit and the projects were put on hold until funds from the American Rescue Plan Act became available, said Matt Hoey, Guilford’s first selectman.
—Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Players were told not to hold the ball for more than two seconds.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Although injuries have held him out of 16 games, Curry is still one of the top players in the NBA.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
Russia’s unprovoked aggression has forced millions of Ukrainians to put their lives on hold.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
The town had been working on a budget and source of funds for new playscapes, then COVID hit and the projects were put on hold until funds from the American Rescue Plan Act became available, said Matt Hoey, Guilford’s first selectman.
—Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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Regardless of equipment chosen, the movement begins with your arms extended and your palms facing up while gripping the weight.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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Still, Postecoglou, who only entered the radar of British football fans after taking charge of Celtic in June 2021, manages to grip audiences better than almost anyone else in the game with his straight-talking brand and non-negotiable footballing approach.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Vitello, though, knows enough about spring ball to keep things in perspective.—
Haley Smilow,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Overall, Lowell head coach Nick Logan is proud of his girls for keeping their drive and dedication all the way to the win.—
Hannah Hughes,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lunar rocks and soil offered novel insights into the moon’s origin and composition, and more recent analysis of previously untouched Apollo samples, as well as samples retrieved by robotic missions, revealed the surprising discovery of water trapped in rocks thought to be bone-dry.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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While other local luxury properties have embraced a desert-chic aesthetic (think neutral hues, sparse decor, minimalist design), Casa Cody has gone in its own direction.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Honorable mentions New to the regular concession offerings, the Baja-style fruit cups are a light and refreshing snack containing slices of watermelon, mango, jicama and cucumber and they are garnished with chamoy, lime juice and Tajin.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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Water and moisture resistance Wood and water don’t mix well, and any type of flooring that contains wood will be prone to warping, rot and permanent water damage.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Freese had eight clean sheets in 31 starts last season on his way to the award.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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Crew chief Bill Miller had an earpiece and was in communication with stadium operations, who informed him that there was no danger.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If a player challenges successfully, their team retains the opportunity to do so again.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
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Poway, the reigning Masters Champion but the runner-up in the Division 2 section finals meet two weeks ago, powered through to retain the Masters team title at 183 points, highlighted by having six finalists and three champions.—
Breven Honda,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The ongoing cost of TK is about $3 billion a year; the state has also put $1 billion toward implementing the new program, including building improvements to accommodate younger kids.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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This was partly out of deference to a president who thinks not of enemies but only of potential counterparties to be bargained with, bullied, swindled, or accommodated.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These protagonists were classic show-business aspirants who, having come to Los Angeles to be within grasping distance of their dreams, fell, in the interim, into service work.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
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The thing a lot of people don’t grasp is that if the market was right, this would have been fixed a long time ago.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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