1
as in clutched
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 retained
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 believed
to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in had
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 owned
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
as in grasped
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
10
as in controlled
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 aimed
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of held
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.
—
Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025
Mack held 35 actress and five producer credits during her career, according to the statement posted to CaringBridge.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
That’s different from another type of equity offering held by the NFL.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
One of the duties Lelakes has held at the YMCA is overseeing facilities across the county of San Diego for maintenance and capital improvement projects.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The docuseries will be available to stream beginning Thursday on Prime Video, but an early screening of the second episode was held Monday for a collection of friends, family, business associates and media.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
During 9/11, people walked down the stairs in single file and held the door open for each other.
—Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Ensign said the Department of Homeland Security is complying with the law during deportations, and people could file challenges individually in Texas, where they were held before being sent to El Salvador.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025
Mack held 35 actress and five producer credits during her career, according to the statement posted to CaringBridge.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
That’s different from another type of equity offering held by the NFL.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
One of the duties Lelakes has held at the YMCA is overseeing facilities across the county of San Diego for maintenance and capital improvement projects.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The docuseries will be available to stream beginning Thursday on Prime Video, but an early screening of the second episode was held Monday for a collection of friends, family, business associates and media.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
During 9/11, people walked down the stairs in single file and held the door open for each other.
—Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Ensign said the Department of Homeland Security is complying with the law during deportations, and people could file challenges individually in Texas, where they were held before being sent to El Salvador.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held
Verb
-
Women clutched children in their arms, weeping uncontrollably.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
-
As Brown crashed hard onto the orange turf of the end zone, his helmet popped off, spinning several yards while Brown continued rolling with the ball clutched in his arms.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Palestinians were shifted from leading a liberation project to managing enclaves, while Israel retained control over their land, movement, and the map itself.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
-
He was moved out of that role in 2004 after an overhaul of Disney’s TV operations, but still retained oversight of ABC News, ad sales and affiliate relations.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Under the agreement, accepted by both parties this week, Hamas will return all living hostages—believed to be around 20—in exchange for roughly 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and about 1,700 detainees from Gaza.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The electrolyte surrounding the negative electrode contained glucose and active riboflavin, while the positive side used either potassium ferricyanide or oxygen.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, British sportswear brand Lonsdale’s blocky logo on T-shirts unintentionally contained a Nazi reference.—
Steve Salter,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On two occasions in recent months, the Oakland City Council has had the opportunity to leave ABC behind and award the contract to Allied Universal, the world’s largest private security provider.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Blake Treinen got a pop-up and a strikeout to get out of that inning and now has had five effective outings in his six postseason appearances, after a miserable September.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
From quaint historic districts filled with shops and eateries—all of which are locally owned—to pristine stretches of sand ripe for taking a sunset walk, there’s something new to discover in every corner.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Doritos, owned by PepsiCo, will no longer be made with artificial flavors or colors.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Creating a world where kids like her daughter aren’t just accommodated — they’re empowered.—
Brittany Talarico,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Our waitress accommodated a few kid-specific adjustment requests without much trouble, making for an overall pleasant experience.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This time was his time and with Gordon off the pitch, Woltemade grasped it and clung to it.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Appiah argues that the idea of free speech is best grasped negatively, by asking what happens when the ability of a government to impose restrictions isn’t so restricted.—
Lula Konner,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Held.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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