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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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
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Prior to joining the company, the executive spent seven years at Ermenegildo Zegna Group, holding several positions like omnichannel and retail operations director and chief financial officer of Greater China.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday, the City Council’s neighborhoods committee put the request on hold until December to allow time for neighborhood leaders and KC Life to have a conversation and find some common ground over a complex issue.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
After their heroic effort in Game 3 – six relievers held the Blue Jays scoreless for the final 11 innings of the 18-inning marathon – the Dodgers’ bullpen went back to their troublesome ways.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Prior to joining the company, the executive spent seven years at Ermenegildo Zegna Group, holding several positions like omnichannel and retail operations director and chief financial officer of Greater China.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
Traders there price a ~98% chance of a 25-basis-point cut on October 29, with near-zero odds on either a surprise hold or anything larger.
—Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
On Tuesday, the City Council’s neighborhoods committee put the request on hold until December to allow time for neighborhood leaders and KC Life to have a conversation and find some common ground over a complex issue.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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He was immediately gripped by a sport which was so different to any other, one which tested the brain in completely different ways than any other.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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Making the most of their pig tissue from the local abattoir, Ahmed’s team also showed how the material could grip.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The beauty of fall keeps me coming back even in the winter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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For more nostalgic decor finds from Pottery Barn, Target, and more, keep scrolling.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, and Rice University, the work could reshape how scientists think about pollution cleanup by looking closer at the tiniest details hidden in common minerals.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
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Adam Green, cofounder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, an influential left-leaning group, said Newsom has not set himself apart as someone average Americans think of as the authentic messenger who connects with a more positive vision for working people.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After the players strolled onto the field through an opening in center field, rapper Ice Cube, a huge Dodger fan, drove a vintage blue Chevy convertible containing the World Series trophy.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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One officer allegedly found garbage bags inside a large freezer that were later determined to contain the remains of a female, the station reported.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The former first round pick in the 2024 MLB draft had a masterful outing, finishing with 12 strikeouts, which broke Don Newcombe’s rookie record for the most in a World Series start, set in 1949.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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Hank remained single throughout the series but has had brief moments of chemistry with other characters, including with Nina Chapman (Sara Bues) in season 11.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This preform is then heated and stretched, much like molten plastic, to produce thin fibers that retain the same intricate internal structure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
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Starbucks will retain a 40% interest in the joint venture and will continue to own and license the brand and intellectual property to the new entity, the companies said.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Now, that is clearly an innovation that print cannot accommodate, but that a manuscript can.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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The design also accommodates tech accessories, with vertical pouch configurations suitable for tablets.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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My teacher grasped my wrists, forcing me to pick it up.—
Erin Silvia,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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On a night in which the bench truly ignited the Raptors, there were positives to grasp.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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