as in grip
the act or manner of holding
she tried to maintain her tight handhold on the umbrella as the wind picked up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 handhold
Making his way blindly back around the jagged metal shard, moving along the side of the Gemini—finding the handholds and Velcro and the ship’s aft cable without the benefit of vision, all the while battling to keep his heart rate under control—was no small thing.
—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 Nov. 2025
That would cut off access to the narrow gaps between train cars where subway surfers use handholds to hoist themselves onto the roof.
—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
Instead of using natural handholds in the rock, via ferrata climbers move almost exclusively using artificial hardware drilled into the rock face, such as chains, cables, bridges, and ladders, and are attached to these fixtures via a tether and harness at all times.
—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
29 Sep. 2025
The steep route is laced with a via Ferrata—the system, invented in the Dolomites, of metal handholds, footholds, and cables that climbers can clip into and follow all the way up.
—
Darrell Hartman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for handhold
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 Nov. 2025
That would cut off access to the narrow gaps between train cars where subway surfers use handholds to hoist themselves onto the roof.
—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
Instead of using natural handholds in the rock, via ferrata climbers move almost exclusively using artificial hardware drilled into the rock face, such as chains, cables, bridges, and ladders, and are attached to these fixtures via a tether and harness at all times.
—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
29 Sep. 2025
The steep route is laced with a via Ferrata—the system, invented in the Dolomites, of metal handholds, footholds, and cables that climbers can clip into and follow all the way up.
—
Darrell Hartman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for handhold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handhold
Noun
-
Anderson’s collection was about formality losing its grip — tuxedos loosened, denim ripped, sequins flashing, disco-ball boots stepping through a house built on old-world taste.
-
Dead hangs build grip strength, shoulder mobility, and core endurance, which can support posture, daily function, and healthy aging.
Noun
-
Nothing seemed beyond his grasp.
-
But there’s not a shortage of potential challengers who could step up and grab the championship from Ali’s grasp.
Cite this Entry
“Handhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handhold. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
