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
Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
This past month, Vrabel and the former The Athletic reporter were seen holding hands and hugging at the luxury resort in Arizona.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold Wednesday, although traders are leaning toward a cut by year-end.
—Michael MacKenzie, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Any cast of co-stars would be deemed successful merely for holding its own, and this one does so much more than that.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
This past month, Vrabel and the former The Athletic reporter were seen holding hands and hugging at the luxury resort in Arizona.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Stubblefield has been subsequently released from prison custody, and the Supreme Court review is on hold pending the outcome of two death penalty appeals from Los Angeles County that could set precedent for what relief defendants are entitled to under the relatively new law.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold Wednesday, although traders are leaning toward a cut by year-end.
—Michael MacKenzie, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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Jerry told me then that his hands could no longer grip the canoe.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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The life of a music director at a major opera company is inevitably one engaged in tragedy, and Conlon exhibits the dramatic flair to grip its emotional immensity.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Though the start of the pandemic soon after halted her momentum, DeVaux kept at it, eventually taking the Breeder’s Cup in 2024.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
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Your ability to adapt keeps the energy alive.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Defense won two Stanley Cups for the Kings, but Holland openly wondered whether the Kings need to think bigger.—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
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The firms thought the approval for that would count as a building permit.—
Matthew Geiger,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Still, even as the memes become borderline unintelligible, Kirkslop contains an air of transgression that imbues the otherwise inane edits and images with perverse political undercurrents.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
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The group contains multiple doctors and lawyers.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Given the risks and the uncertainty around all aspects of the war, Kashkari said the Fed may even have to raise rates.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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Plummer even had time to throw, as the offensive line held up in protection and kept the quarterback upright then entire game.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Westin also produced an RBI single, while Augustana recruit JT Iles came through with a two-run double for the Thunderbolts (9-11), who with the win retained the Zabrocki Cup — the traveling trophy for the rivalry.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
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The country also retains significant tanker capacity — equivalent to roughly 37 very large crude carriers — both inside and outside the blockade.—
Anthony Di Paola,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The building will have a gym, a gross motor room with play equipment for the youngest students, a two-story library with reading nooks, a learning hub able to accommodate two classes at a time, and an outdoor area with patio furniture.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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This setup is ultra-welcoming and can accommodate a large crew—bring on the s'mores and bonfires this summer.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His survival so far depended on the passion of people who may not have grasped how grave his situation was.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
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Surface is the third piece of the puzzle, though those descriptions are a little easier to grasp.—
Neil Greenberg,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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