Thesaurus

hold

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of hold

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 to have or keep in one's hands

this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

bear,
carry

cradle

Phrases Synonymous with hold

Near Antonyms for hold

2 to continue to have in one's possession or power

she, and she alone, held the keys to the mysterious chest

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

bear,
harbor

Phrases Synonymous with hold

Near Antonyms for hold

discard,
dump

lose

Antonyms for hold

3 to have as an opinion

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"

Synonyms for hold

allow
[chiefly Southern & Midland],
believe,
conceive,
consider,
deem,
esteem,
feel,
figure,
guess,
imagine,
judge,
reckon
[chiefly dialect],
suppose,
think

Words Related to hold

regard,
view

Near Antonyms for hold

4 to have within

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

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

5 to keep in one's mind or heart

still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

Phrases Synonymous with hold

Near Antonyms for hold

6 to keep, control, or experience as one's own

the same family has held this piece of land for over 100 years

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

bear,
carry

Phrases Synonymous with hold

rejoice in

Near Antonyms for hold

discard,
dump

need,
require

Antonyms for hold

lack,
want

7 to make or have room for

the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

harbor,
house

8 to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms

please hold my arm on these slippery stairs

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

Phrases Synonymous with hold

Near Antonyms for hold

9 to think of in a particular way

held to be the best blueberry pies in the state

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

Phrases Synonymous with hold

take for

10 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 for hold

Words Related to hold

Near Antonyms for hold

Antonyms for hold

lose

11 to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal

held the camera on the actor throughout the scene

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

sight

bear,
face

Near Antonyms for hold

hold

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of hold (Entry 2 of 2)

1 the act or manner of holding

make sure you have a firm hold on the chain saw before you turn it on

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

grab,
seizure

Near Antonyms for hold

2 a structure or place from which one can resist attack

the ruins of an ancient Roman hold

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

3 the right or means to command or control others

the government has no hold over where we live and work

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

jurisdiction

Near Antonyms for hold

Antonyms for hold

4 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

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

5 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

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

block,
ward

Near Antonyms for hold

outside

6 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

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

Near Antonyms for hold

Antonyms for hold

7 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

Synonyms for hold

Words Related to hold

Near Antonyms for hold

Antonyms for hold

Frequently Asked Questions About hold

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

Learn More About hold

Thesaurus Entries Near hold

hold

hold a brief for

Cite this Entry

“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 14 Aug. 2022.

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