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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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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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
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Recent Examples of hold
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The Forty Mile Tattoo Convention will be held Friday, July 25, to Sunday, July 27, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento, 3317 Forty Mile Road in Wheatland.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 May 2025
There’s also a customizable focus hold button that can be assigned with other functions using the camera menu.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Ezra Levin, the head of Indivisible, a grassroots movement associated with the movement, told the Jim Acosta Show that an upcoming coordinated protest on June 14, President Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day, would take place in areas away from where Trump is holding a parade.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The Forty Mile Tattoo Convention will be held Friday, July 25, to Sunday, July 27, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento, 3317 Forty Mile Road in Wheatland.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
Three weeks after Skydance paused new spending on a series starring and executive produced by Jeremy Strong and written and executive produced by Tobias Lindholm and Frank Pugliese, the high-profile drama has been put on hold, sources tell Deadline.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 May 2025
There’s also a customizable focus hold button that can be assigned with other functions using the camera menu.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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Adapted from the Danish novels by Scott Frank (The Queen’s Gambit), the Netflix series is a gripping yarn about the yoke of guilt and the unwavering patience of redemption.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
30 May 2025
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Unnamed members of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department were also set to testify, but were moved to tomorrow after Clark's gripping testimony took the full day.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
27 May 2025
Verb
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If that kind of freaks you out, keep this in mind: The right diet can have a positive impact on aging—and that includes the aging brain.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
3 June 2025
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Moscow likely believed the distance itself was enough to keep the aircraft safe from Ukrainian attacks.—
Benjamin Brown,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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These studies were also really an investigation of color, thinking of the way graphic scores can work and trying to convey a mood or tone through color theory.—
Caitlin Woolsey,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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One mother thought she was headed to Washington, D.C.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
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This post contains spoilers for The Rehearsal Season 2 finale.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
26 May 2025
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Choose products with humectants: When looking for products to maintain your hair's moisture, select those that contain humectants, which are substances that attract and hold water to hydrate the hair.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Only seven qualified American League hitters have a lower one.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
25 May 2025
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However, my hand has real diamond support, with even the club jack potentially pulling its weight, and my spades are poor.—
Deb Harvell,
Arkansas Online,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Cons Vermiculite can retain too much water for plants that thrive in drier conditions.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 June 2025
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Shy Tuttle to retain his job this summer with so many talented players in front of him.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Each block is meant to accommodate a building with ground-floor storefronts topped by either residential units or office space and each with its own parking structure.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2025
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Bleacher capacity will increase from 1,886 people to 2,750 to accommodate larger crowds for football games, future graduation ceremonies and band competitions.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Officials have expressed concern about a lack of formal training, and there is an apprehension that podcasters might not always grasp the nuances of criminal investigations or the implications of publicizing sensitive information.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 May 2025
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The ban on offensive players from pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping or encircling a runner was supported by a 22-10 vote, according to a person with knowledge of the proceedings, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the details weren’t made public.—
Dave Campbell,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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