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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to think
to have as an opinion "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to contain
to have within the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal held the camera on the actor throughout the scene

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stronghold
a structure or place from which one can resist attack the ruins of an ancient Roman hold

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sway
the right or means to command or control others the government has no hold over where we live and work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Thornton has served as the announcer for Wheel of Fortune since the 2010 death of Charlie O’Donnell, who previously held the post. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026 Features that hold a child's attention and increase engagement are frequently mistaken for fostering genuine learning, the report found. — Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
In July, the trade was put on hold pending the outcome of the NBA’s investigation. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 As part of the appeal, the Attorney General’s Office asked that Winmill’s decision be put on hold pending further court proceedings. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 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 recent plunge has renewed the conversation around the literacy crisis gripping the nation's education system and the debate over COVID-19 school closures.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • For six weeks Lindsay Clancy’s trial gripped the nation, taking over newscasts, podcasts and social media chatter.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • But after injuries kept him out of game action for 1,241 days, the kid who came up as a can’t-miss ace finally made his MLB debut this year, albeit as a reliever.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Havana is having trouble keeping the lights on and providing food for their people.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of keep
Verb
  • The work could also help researchers study other materials where strong electron interactions are thought to play a role, including high-temperature superconductors.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • There have been some limited cases in which noncitizens have been criminally charged for voting or attempting to vote, including in Michigan, but it's been rare and not thought to have altered the outcome of any elections.
    — Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • The budget is likely to retain a focus on devolution, greater public control of public services and more private sector partnerships, but contain little to change the macro outlook, Monks said in a note Monday.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Most of the genome is non-coding and contains a mix of things, including centromeres, which help ensure chromosomes are divided evenly between cells, and caps that protect the chromosome ends.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • The confusion could muddy the narrative of having the best models in the market that OpenAI would no doubt like to present ahead of a possible 2027 IPO.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Its rich, satisfying lather has a light citrus scent to make wash days feel just a little more elevated.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • The budget is likely to retain a focus on devolution, greater public control of public services and more private sector partnerships, but contain little to change the macro outlook, Monks said in a note Monday.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Had Woltemade not headed out, Newcastle may have had to pivot to an alternative, or opt to retain funds for January.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of retain
Verb
  • Custom inscriptions could be accommodated, but off-site, noted owner Donna Muhr.
    — Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Original barn torn down The original barn was torn down and replaced with a rustic white structure with high ceilings, natural wood beams and enough space to accommodate around 200 guests.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • The rest of The Disappearers tries to grasp the trauma visited upon the actors.
    — Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Spinoza’s work is famously difficult to grasp, which is perhaps why John seems so stymied in his writing.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of grasp

Phrases Containing hold

Browse Nearby Words

hokum
hold
hold a brief for
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of loath

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All