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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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
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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
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
The Palazzo Tarasconi was built in the 16th century and is known as a cultural hub of fine art, with a variety of exhibitions held there.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Selznick said the necessary approvals were secured before the shutdown for some new products that are rolling out in the first few months of 2019, but new label authorizations were on hold since the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau was closed.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank, has not held presidential or parliamentary elections in nearly two decades.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
The Palazzo Tarasconi was built in the 16th century and is known as a cultural hub of fine art, with a variety of exhibitions held there.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
According to jail records reviewed by Fox News Digital, Luebke was wanted in Washington County on a gross misdemeanor charge and in Anoka County on a separate misdemeanor charge, prompting authorities to place him on a multi-county hold.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Selznick said the necessary approvals were secured before the shutdown for some new products that are rolling out in the first few months of 2019, but new label authorizations were on hold since the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau was closed.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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It’s measured by gripping a handheld dynamometer.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2025
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The Fed, which opted to cut interest rates earlier this month, is guided by a dual mandate to keep inflation under control and maximize employment.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
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Netanyahu knows that his political future is dependent on keeping far-right members of his coalition on board – and that dynamic has undone past pushes for the end of the war.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gonzalez, the former National Security Council official, said senior policymakers thought that embassy staff were showing favoritism to Bukele, sending reports that minimized the growing crisis of democracy in El Salvador.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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Initially, the source was thought to be in an area between the football stadium and the high school’s dock area, but the gas utility determined that the leak was somewhere within the building.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The federal government is hurtling toward a possible shutdown at a delicate moment for the nation's economy, as a hiring slowdown stokes recession fears and inflation proves difficult to fully contain.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
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This story contains mention of domestic violence.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ford had a challenging first half of 2025 with 88 vehicle recalls with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to NHTSA data, which now surpasses the record set by General Motors of 77 recalls for all of 2014, the Detroit Free Press previously reported.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
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Ohio has 13 Costco warehouse locations.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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The contractor retained a good reputation in Washington and has continued to work for the State Department on overseas assignments.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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Wall Street Journal The latest benefit trend to attract and retain young workers?—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The new event space, which opened in May, can accommodate up to 160 people for a cocktail party and up to 200 people for a wedding.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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The suite accommodates six adults and a child but can be expanded through seven connecting suites for up to 20 guests.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The decision led to his being wiped during summer league, a good example of a player having his heart in the right place without fully grasping the consequences.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Deputy Thomas Zajac, first on the scene, found Heskett kneeling in the grass near the park’s Old Mill Trail, grasping a pocketknife protruding from his abdomen.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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