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
Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
The Lone Star State amounts to the first battle in a mushrooming national redistricting battle that Trump unleashed last month with the goal of helping Republicans hold onto control of Congress next year, when history says the sitting president’s party would be expected to lose ground.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
The ruling puts on hold a lower court's order that had temporarily preserved Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for nearly 60,000 migrants.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Perez-Abarca was ordered held pending trial and is next set to appear in court Sept. 5.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
The Lone Star State amounts to the first battle in a mushrooming national redistricting battle that Trump unleashed last month with the goal of helping Republicans hold onto control of Congress next year, when history says the sitting president’s party would be expected to lose ground.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Republicans have heavily protested the forgiveness plans and challenged Biden’s programs in court, leading to many of the court rulings that have now put forgiveness programs on hold.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
The ruling puts on hold a lower court's order that had temporarily preserved Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for nearly 60,000 migrants.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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Millions in the West are facing heat watches and warnings as a dangerous heat wave grips the region, increasing fire risks amid dry conditions.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
25 Aug. 2025
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Bright acidity, gripping citrics in this rinse of mint and citron flavors.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The future of Aerosmith is extremely uncertain due to Steven Tyler’s injured larynx, but that isn’t stopping guitarist Joe Perry from keeping the band’s music alive on the road.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
14 Aug. 2025
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The Federal Circuit stayed that order, keeping duties in place pending appeal.—
Brian Delp,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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An invasive planthopper native to Asia, the spotted lanternfly is thought to have entered the U.S. via egg masses on a stone shipment in 2012, according to Cornell Integrated Pest Management.—
Katie Nixon,
The Tennessean,
25 Aug. 2025
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The American consumer thinks other countries are paying these tariffs.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
Freep.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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According to the Florida Department of Health, raw milk can contain disease-causing bacteria, including Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, Salmonella, and others.—
Mark Harper,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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The reports compiled by the Star-Telegram contain violations from Aug. 3 through Aug. 9 and the results of 265 health inspections.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But those photos were public records, and the city has a duty to release them upon request, Puskal said.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Aug. 2025
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Some of the bathrooms and bedrooms hadn’t been renovated since the home was first built, and Saba — who has a background in fashion design — had some ideas on how to liven up the interior.—
Lennie Omalza,
The Courier-Journal,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sellers should retain receipts, confirmations, or screenshots for all transactions in case the IRS requests proof.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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The cabin, meanwhile, retains its excellent 18-way massaging sport seats that are adjustable, heated, and ventilated.—
Bradley Iger,
Robb Report,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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It was built in the 1960s to serve low-income seniors but grew to accommodate adults of all ages over time, according to LMHA.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
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Student First's existing contract is effective through 2028 and can accommodate 20,000 slots.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The ambiguity and fear stemming from the policies are causing a wave of misinformation that students are grasping onto, Feldblum said.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
19 Aug. 2025
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The Europeans, unlike the Trump administration, grasp the danger of Putin’s imperial dreams of territorial expansion, not only in Europe but in areas that directly threaten the United States, such as the Arctic.—
Trudy Rubin,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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