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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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
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
Wilyer Abreu also hit a home run and Venezuela’s pitching held the United States to just three hits.
—Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
When the executive order was put on hold by the courts in June 2025, Horsestreingth was able to get the gender marker on his passport changed to male.
—Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Most vessels appear to be holding positions outside Hormuz, with thousands of seafarers stranded aboard vessels in the Gulf.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
Wilyer Abreu also hit a home run and Venezuela’s pitching held the United States to just three hits.
—Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
That marks a strong hold (down just 36%) from its opening of $45 million, boosting domestic revenues to $86 million.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
When the executive order was put on hold by the courts in June 2025, Horsestreingth was able to get the gender marker on his passport changed to male.
—Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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Inflation fears have gripped global markets, causing Treasury yields to jump Thursday as gold and silver prices plummet.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
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Its handle also isn’t quite as comfortable to grip as the Material’s, and certainly doesn’t offer the ergonomic feel of the Shun.—
Emily Johnson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
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In the second half, Smith had a handful of incredible saves to keep the score at 2-1, including leaping up to snare a crossing pass and stopping two shots on breakaways.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So if a person thinks about moving their hand, the device reads those brain signals and turns them into an actual movement.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
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Or if a military machine with someone at the top pooh-poohing ROE thinks the rules are still a top priority.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The shampoo contains aloe vera, papaya extract, meadowfoam seed oil, and even caffeine, while the conditioner was deeply hydrating and made my hair shiny and soft.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
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The portion of the land containing the buildings is being transferred to the Community Land Trust of Marin, or CLAM.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some runways really have that brain chemistry-altering power, and the spectacle that Marc Jacobs created for the Louis Vuitton fall 2012 show is one such example.—
Rosie Jarman,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
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According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the 41-year-old had a criminal history and his temporary legal status had expired.—
Marissa Armas,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For now, King retains his longtime employees, who, in the wake of the lawsuits and investigations, receive higher wages.—
Boyce Upholt,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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Such materials are known to be able to store data and retain state without power (like flash memory).—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Extra beds are complimentary in rooms and suites that can accommodate them.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
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According to the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, the city’s bridges open about 40 times per year from April to November to accommodate tall ships trying to get to/from Lake Michigan.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As an actor, Gia will grasp you with her emotional range even when not speaking.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
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Rosi’s artistry grasps the limitations of being a long-term guest, visually juxtaposing the ancient and elemental, busts and people.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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