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
Jose De Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
But the governor, a fiscal moderate who’s been wary about using state dollars to bolster shrinking federal human service programs, maintained a noncommittal stance he’s held since February.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
For now, the government’s subpoena for additional records related to election officials remains on hold while the court considers Fulton County’s request to block enforcement.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Govel held the Aggies to three hits and one run over four innings with four strikeouts.
—Jose De Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
But the governor, a fiscal moderate who’s been wary about using state dollars to bolster shrinking federal human service programs, maintained a noncommittal stance he’s held since February.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
Noun
The railroad industry’s chief regulatory body is putting its review of the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern proposed $85 billion merger on hold, requiring the railroads to provide additional information before the deal can be further evaluated.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
For now, the government’s subpoena for additional records related to election officials remains on hold while the court considers Fulton County’s request to block enforcement.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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When the off-duty flight attendant reached over to grip the bag, Reyes grabbed his head and began choking him, the affidavit states.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2026
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The strapless neckline stays in place thanks to the elastic gripping tape along the bust.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Jordan Kutzner singled to left to keep the Sundevils’ hopes alive, but he was thrown out by Kroning while attempting to steal second base.—
Rick Hoff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
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Most of the facility is kept at a constant 34 degrees , which is balmy compared to the minus 15 that those working in the freezer section must endure.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The chances of 3-star Mississippi tackle DJ Dotson choosing UGA are higher than most think.—
Jeff Sentell,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
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My daughter calls me a creative engineer, someone who spends her life creatively thinking about ways to provide live experiences that offer joy and beauty, or maybe more importantly, that challenge us to see things differently.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The wall drawings also contain erasure marks, vestiges of the artist’s false starts and corrections.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Substituting regular flour for options that contain more protein when baking, such as oat, almond, chickpea, or whole wheat flour.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
2 June 2026
Verb
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For families This is a rather adult hotel, though parents traveling with kids should look into the apartments—the two-bedroom options all have two single beds in the smaller rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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Firefighters had to cut open the metal drop box to extinguish the fire, and numerous ballots inside were damaged, some charred beyond recognition.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The appropriations bill signed into law in January 2026 retained the research office, funded NOAA at roughly $6 billion and directed the agency not to close its laboratories.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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Historical accounts describe blades capable of retaining sharp edges while remaining unusually resilient.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Elang Private Residence can accommodate multi-generational families or groups of friends with kids.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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However, Threewitt said access to electricity has emerged as one of the biggest obstacles to accommodating more growth.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Malik Washington must evolve as a receiver Washington, who has been praised in the past for his ability to learn and execute the offense, seems to be grasping Miami’s playbook faster than the rest of his fellow receivers.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
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That student-body demographics might limit the Options is a difficult concept for your mother to grasp.—
Taiye Selasi,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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