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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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
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
The 22-year-old quarterback has reportedly applied to the NFL for eligibility in a supplemental draft to be held this summer, for players who weren’t eligible for the annual draft held in April, but who become eligible thereafter.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026
Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Rumors take hold From the nearby lighthouse, visitors craned for a better view of Swift’s mansion, a sprawling white home perched atop a rocky bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
—Leah Willingham, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
The New Jersey native has held the TNA Knockouts World Championship and the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship twice with Kiera Hogan.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
The 22-year-old quarterback has reportedly applied to the NFL for eligibility in a supplemental draft to be held this summer, for players who weren’t eligible for the annual draft held in April, but who become eligible thereafter.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026
Noun
Schlossberg was the hardest candidate to get a hold of.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Rumors take hold From the nearby lighthouse, visitors craned for a better view of Swift’s mansion, a sprawling white home perched atop a rocky bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
—Leah Willingham, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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Keep your core engaged and grip the machine handles.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
18 June 2026
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From this gripping moment, our film reveals humanity’s greatest adventure in space, uncovering the origin story of NASA and the Apollo program, one that reflects our precarious times.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Following their arrival, word spread among law enforcement at Kansas City Stadium (aka Arrowhead) that the King and Queen were en route — and the path to the VVIP (yes, very very) entrance was cleared by FBI officials, who kept fans away from the area.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
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Not surprisingly, the number keeps rising.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Iran is thought to have 972 pounds of uranium that is enriched up to 60% purity, according to the IAEA.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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In the top of the first inning, Rangers catcher Elias Diaz pointed at first base thinking there would be a first-base umpire, when the umpire was in the middle of the diamond.—
Cal Phillips
June 19,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The Chiefs Hall of Honor on the second-level concourse contains the organization’s four Super Bowl trophies, memorabilia, exhibits and documents, and there is no admission to walk through history.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
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The farm system does not contain an endless supply of prospects.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Mbappé, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in France's 3-1 tournament-opening victory against Senegal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
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During a childhood fight, Aemond had his eye cut out by Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys and stole her family’s ferocious, powerful red dragon Vhagar.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Verb
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That means the county can retain millions of dollars in property taxes, which the Resident Advisory Committee ensures transparency and accountability of.—
Ashley Portillo,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
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Republicans also have a shot at taking the governor’s office and retaining at least one legislative chamber.—
David A. Lieb,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Longtime transatlantic partners now differ on issues ranging from the conduct and conclusion of the Iran war to support for Ukraine; meanwhile, Japan fears the US is prioritizing accommodating China over backing its Asian allies.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
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At the helm, bucket seats reinforce the high- performance feel, while the cockpit accommodates up to 12 guests, with a central dining area, twin aft sunpads, and a larger sunpad forward.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
16 June 2026
Verb
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But the combatants kept grasping and tugging each other off-balance.—
Bob Brody,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
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My eyes darted back and forth, trying to grasp the imposing silhouette in its entirety.—
Karina Zaiets,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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