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
The Ukrainian leader held a meeting with military officials and government members on Friday focusing on Ukraine's energy and air defense needs. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 That meant working on the details that held him back as a rookie and preparing for the different roles the Broncos could ask him to play. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
DonnaJean Wilde made her potential record-breaking attempt at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah this week and completed a plank hold for five hours. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 The Cleveland-area seat should be a relatively easy hold for Republican in the midterm elections, but Miller’s legal and personal issues have created a political headache for Republicans. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 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
  • Another episode of Survivor 51, another fantastic, gripping tribal council.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Many of the beautiful, sometimes ingenious products and technologies developed with the rise of the modern era gripped the popular imagination and made life easier, healthier and more connected.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • Investors are keeping a close eye on the outlook of interest rates, after New York Federal Reserve President John Williams' recent comments put him at odds with the broader market and some other central bank members.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Tajdar Amrohi says that by the time the film was ready for release, his father didn’t have a penny to keep for himself and was deep in debt.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of keep
Verb
  • Boosted by Heated Rivalry, Crave recorded just over 5 million subs in Bell’s most recent results, and is eyeing 6 million by end of 2028, but Cohan is thinking beyond that.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Even among Republicans, less than half (45%) think Trump will follow through.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • Another 19 shipments, containing about 119,000 gallons, were stopped at the Port of Houston.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Sound tends to be hit or miss for outdoor shows as there’s nothing to contain the noise.
    — Rashad Alexander October 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • The Israeli authorities have questions to answer, said The Jerusalem Post.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Oct. 2026
  • New York City has policies that limit local law enforcement from sharing certain information with federal officers or honoring detainer requests unless immigrants have been convicted of violent crimes.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • No one was about to help Stephanie Vaquer retain the Women’s World Championship and no one was going to help Becky Lynch or Liv Morgan put gold back around their waists.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • But Lai ⁠urged democracies in the Indo-Pacific region to join forces to retain the status quo of peace and stability in the region.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of retain
Verb
  • Karen is newly sober, newly released, and seemingly determined to approach this chapter of her life with an earnestness that the rest of the cast may not be emotionally equipped to accommodate.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Open Doors plans to accommodate 80 clients at the shelter with staff on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • But both emanate from something his opponents have never quite grasped.
    — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Only in May did the army grasp what had happened, a military official said.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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