HELD Synonyms: 265 Similar and Opposite Words

held

verb

Definition of held next

past tense of hold

as in clutched

to have or keep in one's hands this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder

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Relevance

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as in retained

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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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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as in contained

to have within the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions

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as in had

to keep in one's mind or heart still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted

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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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as in accommodated

to make or have room for the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people

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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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as in considered

to think of in a particular way held to be the best blueberry pies in the state

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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

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as in aimed

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal held the camera on the actor throughout the scene

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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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held

Verb

Elliot Cadeau came rushing over to his mom after the game, a fistful of maize-and-blue confetti clutched tight in his hand.

— Justin Williams, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
One woman clutched her young, smiling child with a look of pure horror on her face.

— Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026