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
This year, the questions are a little different, as Swift held her wedding to Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 3. — Bella Decrescenzo, USA Today, 4 July 2026 The composition of the bar changed dramatically as many Loyalist lawyers departed, others were jailed and younger lawyers assumed responsibilities previously held by members of the colonial establishment. — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Noun
The investment firm upgraded the e-commerce name to buy from hold. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 10 July 2026 Abruzzo, the county administrator, insisted none of those projects have been put on hold and the county will not be redirecting airport funds to the renaming effort — despite the airport website’s claim about airport revenues funding the effort. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 9 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
  • According to the researchers, toe-grip training may improve cognition by challenging you to consciously grip a part of the body that’s not routinely isolated or used.
    — Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 7 July 2026
  • Heavy rain and flooding are breaking a heat wave that gripped New York City and much of the Northeast last week.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • This version from Quince has a separate compartment for a laptop, as well as two separate sections to keep the remaining belongings organized.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • Beyond their cool-girl air, the shoes offer plenty of support and cushioning thanks to their plush insoles that keep your arches comfortable for hours of strutting.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 July 2026
Definition of keep
Verb
  • Mojtaba is thought to have been wounded in the February attack by Israel and the US that killed his father, mother and wife.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Harper thought bringing in aluminum bats for a few swings might be a good idea.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • But the strength of the rotation also depends on the conflict in the Middle East remaining contained.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • The book contains Ahn’s mother’s recipes and conversations between the mother and daughter.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • But Wells didn't have his cellphone or his keys — his friends did.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • Caroline has a similar experience elsewhere in the James house.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • For example, creators probably will retain ownership and control of their IP, said Ty Flynn, a partner and agent at UTA’s Creators division.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • The trustees approved retaining the securities monitoring firm of Berger Montague to represent the system in this case.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 July 2026
Definition of retain
Verb
  • The ship can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy, according to a cruise line fact sheet.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Not every backyard can accommodate the 60-foot by 30-foot footprint these courts require, and his residential courts tend to be in communities where larger properties are the norm — like Hillsborough, Atherton, Woodside and Saratoga.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • Cooper, who had not watched Power, couldn’t grasp the enormity of the casting at the time, but was excited by the challenge of building Jarita’s origin story.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 July 2026
  • And grasping Muskism is crucial for understanding not just the man, but the world that made him.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hold for Spanish Speakers

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