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
ABC News, 14 June 2026
High oil prices have put Federal Reserve rate cuts on hold indefinitely, and this has helped stabilize BDC income.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 13 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
The Office of Special Counsel denied Joslin's initial request to put their termination on hold while investigating whether the Park Service broke the law, according to court filings.
—ABC News, 14 June 2026
High oil prices have put Federal Reserve rate cuts on hold indefinitely, and this has helped stabilize BDC income.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 13 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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Created by state legislators in 2004, the district was tasked with keeping Colorado compliant with the compact.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
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The Dodgers considered bringing in a spot starter, manager Dave Roberts said, in order to keep the full rotation on extra rest.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
14 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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In fact, their entire relationship has an eerie, performative aura.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
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That was especially true the following game when the Golden Knights took a 4-0 lead into the third period and the Hurricanes seemed to have no answers.—
Mark Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Iran insists on retaining a degree of control over the waterway and gaining immediate access to its frozen funds, while negotiations over the Islamic Republic’s uranium enrichment would take place after the interim deal is signed.—
Arsalan Shahla,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
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The pool was rebuilt but retained its kidney-bean shape, a nod to early 20th-century design.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
13 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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Every new one approaches life with a little different twist that the one that came before didn't have the time to grasp.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
14 June 2026
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McAfee, not fully grasping why people would want to drink milk that was unpasteurized, nonetheless went to his silo, filled half-gallon containers and packed them in ice chests.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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