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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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hold
Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Austin Metcalf didn't have the opportunity to meet the love of his life, hold a plaque at graduation.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 10 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 3rd District seat, now held by Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy, who is not seeking reelection, represents parts of Woodland, the Bryte and Broderick neighborhoods in West Sacramento and the Wild Wings community.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Austin Metcalf didn't have the opportunity to meet the love of his life, hold a plaque at graduation.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 10 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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But for those of us following along at home, the terror and curiosity of what might happen made for gripping TV.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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Among those evacuated were Stephen and Katie, during which the deputy chief of staff was pictured gripping his wife — who was eight months pregnant at the time — in front of him.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
10 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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Perhaps Wetzel is already thinking about a radio-friendly alternate line.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
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Still, Henry says Musk has a way of clearing hurdles the industry thought impossible.—
Chris Stokel-Walker,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Violence doesn’t stay contained.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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However, xGC estimates that even with Lionel Messi, their roster doesn’t quite contain the same threat as teams like France and Spain.—
Ethan Douglas,
New York Times,
10 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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The gentler ride on family coasters also helps accommodate older visitors who might not be comfortable with more intense coasters anymore.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
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The camp could not accommodate detainees using wheelchairs and had no showers compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, resulting in the disabled being held in medical care rooms.—
Michael Biesecker,
Fortune,
9 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 17 Jun. 2026.
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