hold 1 of 2

verb

ˈhōld How to pronounce hold (audio)
Definition of holdnext
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
as in to contain
to have within the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions

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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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7
as in to accommodate
to make or have room for the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people

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8
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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9
as in to consider
to think of in a particular way held to be the best blueberry pies in the state

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10
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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hold

2 of 2

noun

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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Synonym Chooser

How is the word hold different from other verbs like it?

The words accommodate and contain are common synonyms of hold. While all three words mean "to have or be capable of having within," hold implies the capacity of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing or keeping.

the bookcase will hold all my textbooks

When is it sensible to use accommodate instead of hold?

The words accommodate and hold are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accommodate stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience.

the hall can accommodate 500 people

When would contain be a good substitute for hold?

While the synonyms contain and hold are close in meaning, contain implies the actual presence of a specified substance or quantity within something.

the can contains a quart of oil

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 hold
Verb
On another court, cloaked behind curtains, Paris Basketball held its practice. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026 An electric field can flip the direction of a ferroelectric material’s polarization, and the material holds that orientation after the field is removed. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension just before the start of the 2024 season following a lengthy contract hold-in that kept him out of training camp. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026 But the most likely explanation involves a few feet of water in the hull, a sounding rod found on deck (used to measure water in the hold), and one of the ship’s two pumps being out of commission. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
  1. grip
  2. keep
  3. think
  4. contain
  5. have
  6. retain
  7. accommodate
  8. grasp
Verb
  • In this gripping true narrative, historian Matt O’Hara introduces us to the opportunists, adventurers, and chancers who raced both to find curare and figure out a way to make money off it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The book lovers said these narratives were particularly approachable, with engaging plots, gripping prose and relatable characters.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • Capricorn December 22 – January 19 The shared goal might have changed while everyone kept following the plan.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Hudson runs House Republicans’ campaign arm and was projected to keep his seat leading into Election Day.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of keep
Verb
  • Portavadie, Argyll Situated on the banks of Loch Fyne on Scotland’s west coast, Portavadie is home to what is thought to be the biggest heated outdoor infinity pool in the country, said Rachel Dixon in The Guardian.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Roughly nine in 10 voters nationally say government corruption is a major factor in their vote, about the same as the cost of living, and about six in 10 voters think the president puts his own personal interests over the country.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • In a rebus crossword, certain squares contain more than one letter.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • To demonstrate practical potential, the team built a larger pouch-cell prototype containing 150 mg of iodine.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • The result does not mean quantum computers have no advantage over classical machines.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Brooklinen and Boll & Branch have breathable everyday essentials covered, while Nickey Kehoe brings a more playful approach to bedding with colorful patterns and unexpected designs.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • Steven’s last-minute decision promises to shake up a race that is widely viewed as crucial to Republicans’ hopes of retaining control of the upper chamber.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • While Carlson has long been unaffiliated with the outlet, Patel retains business connections with Carlson, while Carlson’s brother Buckley Carlson has served on the Daily Caller nonprofit’s board.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of retain
Verb
  • Brick-and-mortar facilities also tend to have more regular staff who are trained to understand accommodating disabled guests within their specific location.
    — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
  • These two areas occupy nearly the entire length of the home and offer the space needed to accommodate large parties without overwhelming smaller gatherings.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • For example, an item may be hard to grasp, a customer may block a robot’s route, or an unexpected request may interrupt an ongoing task.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Keeping desire alive means choosing pursuits that can never be finished – a craft, a field of study, a relationship – and letting the gap between reaching and grasping stay open.
    — Stacy Keltner, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of grasp

Phrases Containing hold

Browse Nearby Words

hokum
hold
hold a brief for
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Cite this Entry

“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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