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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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
Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
That’s when the boys are held at knifepoint in the back of a car by two menacing Russian hoods.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 May 2026
Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Before Kelsey can even unpack her blow-dryer, Rosie takes hold of her bag and kicks her out of the house — pushing her out the door and slamming it on her until a producer steps in to control what has quickly become a physical altercation.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
The system means a British prime minister can be replaced without a general election, but that the party in control of the government will remain in charge until that wider vote is held.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 19 May 2026
That’s when the boys are held at knifepoint in the back of a car by two menacing Russian hoods.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 May 2026
Noun
At this time, requests for filming projects at the zoo will be put on hold, the zoo said.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Before Kelsey can even unpack her blow-dryer, Rosie takes hold of her bag and kicks her out of the house — pushing her out the door and slamming it on her until a producer steps in to control what has quickly become a physical altercation.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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State and federal investigators returned Tuesday to a North Texas home at the center of the disappearance of a 6-year-old boy, digging up parts of the backyard as authorities pursue new leads in a case that has gripped the community for years.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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April’s inflation rate means prices are now rising faster than wages for the first time since 2023, which could aggravate the affordability crisis that has already been gripping consumers.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The country aims to keep Tiangong, which is about 20% as massive as the International Space Station, permanently inhabited for at least a decade.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
24 May 2026
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This primer, however, keeps them in place, without clogging pores or making your skin feel heavy.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Sullivan says everyday activities suddenly carried risks most people never think about.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
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Considering the greater global reach of soccer, the sport needs to think about the quality of its output, Molango said.—
James Robson,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Rare works by Joan Miró adorn the sixth-floor Presidential Suite, while the Royal Suite contains lithographs and modern artworks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Today’s draftniks have access to endless high-def broadcasts and custom compilations showing a prospect’s every snap.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Cleveland had the advantage offensively against Detroit but won’t against New York, San Antonio or Oklahoma City.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Locking him in would keep a solid special teams player and veteran voice on the roster, but the Hawks shouldn’t overpay to retain him.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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But with no definitive word on whether or not Nikki is ready to come back, the safer pick is Brie and Page retaining the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Seven of the rooms are designed to accommodate guests with reduced mobility or any kind of disability.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
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But Carey doesn’t know if the culture of higher education can accommodate that type of emergency thinking.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Just over a month ago and just about 10 miles away, Rice‘s blue-and-yellow nails grasped the NCAA championship trophy in celebration at Pauley Pavilion.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
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Newcomers looking to grasp the eclectic essence of Eurovision and its interplay of pop and politics should look no further than two of the fan favorites to emerge during a week that saw two semifinals ahead of the grand finale.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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