Synonyms of hold
-
as in to grip
-
as in to keep
-
as in to think
-
as in to contain
-
as in to have
-
as in to retain
-
as in to accommodate
-
as in to grasp
-
as in to consider
-
as in to regulate
-
as in to aim
-
as in grip
-
as in stronghold
-
as in sway
-
as in contact
-
as in jail
-
as in understanding
-
as in imprisonment
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
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
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
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
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
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
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
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Even after sending a haul of draft capital to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo, the Heat holds three of its next four first-round picks after this year.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
24 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 kids, meanwhile, took selfies, while one appeared to be holding a red canister.
—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Even after sending a haul of draft capital to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo, the Heat holds three of its next four first-round picks after this year.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
24 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
-
Exceptional heat is gripping Europe.
-
After briefly losing his pro status in 2024, van Dongen returned to Q-School and regained his pro card, despite battling hand issues that prevented him from being able to grip his darts.
Verb
-
The Cubs kept the game plan fairly simple for Peterson in his debut following a whirlwind couple of days after learning he had been traded Wednesday evening.
-
Panama can't make anything of its counter attacks and keeps losing the ball in transition.
Verb
-
Authors think humans might just be able to leverage a few tools at our disposal to change the course of huge weather events.
-
But in thinking about all these different groups, Krieger said a battery storage system may be a type of technology that everyone can get behind.
Verb
-
Firefighters, meanwhile, quickly contained the blaze to a 10-by-10-foot area.
-
Each kit contains five breakfasts and five lunches.
Verb
-
The sport has a big future because of you guys.
-
The land at Aqueduct is ready to go, no need for demolition, no need to remove and remediate dangerous industrial waste like other sites have.
Verb
-
The microfiber fabric is feathery light and airy, but still retains a soft and cuddly feel to keep you comfortable no matter the season.
-
The acquisition, in which founder Judson Macor and CEO James Elian will retain a stake, is expected to close in the third quarter.
Verb
-
While earlier concepts called for flip-up chairback seating throughout the stadium, engineers determined the historic venue's existing structure could not accommodate those seats without significantly reducing capacity or requiring major reconstruction.
-
The Department of Homeland Security is changing the guidelines for Iran’s national soccer team ahead of its third World Cup match on Friday to accommodate extra time afforded to other countries in the tournament, an agency spokesperson said.
Verb
-
Another fact these tax lovers don’t grasp is that predictions of the demise of Social Security are based on historically low rates of economic growth and productivity.
-
Matt Smaby, a North Dakota assistant and former NHL defenseman, said there are so many other variables in playing the position that take time to fully grasp.
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
