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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4
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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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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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
Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
Demonstrate that Atlanta's transit system can hold its own while encouraging more people to give it a try.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Plans to demolish a house over 100 years old in the southeast neighborhood of Kleberg to make room for an AutoZone store have been put on hold after residents showed up to protest.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
The school board held its first public conversation about the potential closure of Blanton Elementary School on Thursday night.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
Demonstrate that Atlanta's transit system can hold its own while encouraging more people to give it a try.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
The bank upgraded the aerospace and defense stock to buy from hold.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Plans to demolish a house over 100 years old in the southeast neighborhood of Kleberg to make room for an AutoZone store have been put on hold after residents showed up to protest.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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These outrageous price increases seem to be nothing more than corporate greed, which is what is gripping the country across the board and helping to keep inflation rising.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
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This shoe is also outfitted with a high-traction outsole that effectively grips the ground for a stable landing every time.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The coils on the back of the refrigerator should be brushed or vacuumed to keep dust buildup from affecting its performance.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
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Comfort classics like the Hoka Women’s Bondi 9s and New Balance Women's Fresh Foam Arishi V4s will keep your feet cushioned, supported, and pain-free on long travel days.—
Amber Love Bond,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The teacher thinks his work is bad?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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Isabel initially thought the sounds shaking her surroundings were thunder.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mansfield Park contains a slow burning love story with Fanny’s cousin Edmund and delicious subplots concerning two charming, selfish siblings, but of chief interest are Fanny’s two aunts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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This single optical component contains many tiny lenses on one surface.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Boston's David Pastrnak had an assist on Lindholm's goal to extend his scoring streak to four games, with four goals and four assists in that span.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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While past studies have shown that dairy products may have a protective effect against dementia, how specific dairy products affect cognitive health remains unclear.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Each application will be reviewed individually, giving regulators greater flexibility while retaining tight oversight.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
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Leadership also noted that, despite the legal friction, a majority of members voted to retain the current board during a separate special meeting.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The infighting has barred progress that is necessary to ensure the city at the heart of the booming Alliance corridor can accommodate growth.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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That being said, other iPhone 13 Pro Max users will appreciate this bag’s accommodating nature.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Americans can understand complex information and grasp the importance of watching trend lines.—
Deborah L. Birx,
STAT,
5 Jan. 2026
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Ideological innovation within the movement has only accelerated since 2016, leaving political scientists, pundits, and an elite liberal public struggling to grasp MAGA both past and present.—
Jason Blakely,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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