hold 1 of 2

verb

ˈhōld How to pronounce hold (audio)
Definition of holdnext
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
as in to contain
to have within the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions

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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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7
as in to accommodate
to make or have room for the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people

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8
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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9
as in to consider
to think of in a particular way held to be the best blueberry pies in the state

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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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hold

2 of 2

noun

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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Synonym Chooser

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hold
Verb
To hold fans over, the streamer also has treated audiences to a new trailer for the upcoming 14th season of Futurama. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 July 2026 The Sox held a 5-0 lead before Davis Martin imploded in the sixth, and Bryan Hudson added fuel to the fire in an eight-run inning that turned the game upside-down. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
Noun
All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua has had a massive contract extension put on hold by the Rams. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 The stinking body was soon discovered in the hold, and Colt was arrested not long after that. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
  1. grip
  2. keep
  3. think
  4. contain
  5. have
  6. retain
  7. accommodate
  8. grasp
Verb
  • The cutest sandal styles don’t always have the best arch support or traction—not to mention, our feet have to grip to hold them in place—while orthopedic sandals aren’t typically known for their stylish aesthetic.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 20 July 2026
  • And while Shakira drew big cheers, as did the appearance of Bieber, these paled in comparison to the cheers and oh’s and ah’s in the crowd throughout the gripping final.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • Tyler Glasnow is even further away from pitching in big-league games as his back spasms have kept him out for months.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Oil traffic through the strait has fallen dramatically again, and as oil prices keep moving higher while the situation in the Middle East intensifies every day.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of keep
Verb
  • Didymo in its nonblooming form occurs naturally in more water bodies than previously thought, and is native to the Intermountain West, including Idaho, according to Taylor.
    — Hannah Smith July 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
  • But a century ago, even the founding fathers were thinking about the future of this fruit.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • At the time of his death, Garcia-Sanchez was hauling asbestos-containing materials from the ninth floor to lower levels using a freight elevator, the report said.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • The fire, which started Saturday, July 18, burned 2,035 acres but is now 100% contained.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Three entry points Visitors have three choices to enter the Okefenokee — the east, west and north entrances, each with its own public amenities and natural qualities.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • Orlando had a chance to take the lead in the 37th minute but Katie Atkinson saved Marta's penalty shot after Haley McCutcheon drew a foul in the box on Chicago Aaliyah Farmer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • Some members and associates of the Seidler family are expected to retain at least a portion of their stakes in the Padres.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The extradition process requires a hearing before a US judge to determine whether the treaty’s requirements are met, but the final decision is made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who retains discretion to deny extradition.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of retain
Verb
  • In order to accommodate the staggering power demand associated with data centers, expanding rural power grids may prove essential.
    — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 26 July 2026
  • That philosophy also means accommodating every type of guest.
    — Yuri Shima, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • The companies that grasp this are charging for things nobody thought to sell five years ago.
    — François Candelon, Fortune, 24 July 2026
  • Iowa saw improvement, too, once Gronowski grasped the nuance of the offense around the midpoint of the season.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of grasp

Phrases Containing hold

Browse Nearby Words

hokum
hold
hold a brief for
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Cite this Entry

“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hold

Nglish: Translation of hold for Spanish Speakers

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