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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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
Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025
The starting rotation hasn’t been pushed exceptionally hard, in part because the bullpen has been extra-reliable, pitching the sixth-most innings and still holding a 2.98 ERA.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025
Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 15 May 2025
Last month, the SEC put its civil case against Binance on hold for at least 60 days.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Possible funding source But whatever the cost, the city has a source of cash to make the lease payments: $14 million that is yet to be spent on the $16 million project approved last fall to build holding cells on the top floor of Police Headquarters, Finance Director Tammy Queen said.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025
The starting rotation hasn’t been pushed exceptionally hard, in part because the bullpen has been extra-reliable, pitching the sixth-most innings and still holding a 2.98 ERA.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025
Noun
Small scalloped hyacinth baskets ($49) keep hold of some of her favorite things.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 15 May 2025
Last month, the SEC put its civil case against Binance on hold for at least 60 days.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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South Sudan, where these latest deportations reportedly occurred, remains gripped by conflict and instability.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
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Picture this: the roaming hills of a pastoral land or the grandeur of an enormous palace gripping the attention of an audience.—
Sara Smith,
Variety,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Cruising Altitude: Air traffic control keeps planes moving.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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And that group could eventually reach six, as Manny Machado, Nolan Arenado and José Ramírez keep doing their thing.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Here’s a look at the cast, then and now Maggie (Missy Peregrym) and Isobel, who was initially thought dead in the explosion that killed Reynolds, both overhear Keene plotting with another Forefront mole, Special Agent Wabash.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
21 May 2025
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In addition, just over half of respondents (53%) think state government should reallocate existing funds and revenue sources to support public transportation.—
Jack Lavin,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Indeed, data from NASA's Lunar Prospector mission revealed the lunar nearside contains up to 10 times more thorium than lunar farside.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
14 May 2025
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The following contains major spoilers for all of Andor!—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Billy has had an illustrious career over the years.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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As symbols of Floyd’s place in history have faded, so too have hopes for federal police reform, commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion and American optimism about the future of racial justice.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Employers must retain personnel records and ADS data, including inputs, outputs, and data used to develop or customize the system, for at least four years.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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While the physical manuscripts have returned to China and will go on view at the National Museum of China in July, the Smithsonian will retain digital versions of the documents for further research.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
Verb
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High ceilings will accommodate the potential use of aerial drones, and the flooring will be treated with Electrostatic Discharge protection to prevent harmful static buildup between sensitive electronics and robots.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
16 May 2025
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Instead of buying an ebike and having to charge its battery at home or carry a charger around to top-up at an accommodating cafe, Yamaha set up ENYRING to offer a battery swap alternative.—
Paul Ridden
May 16,
New Atlas,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Likewise, most users probably won't grasp the details of the information displayed on the Device Security page.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 May 2025
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Most adjust accordingly, but some never fully grasp the difference.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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