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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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
Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025
From June 9 to June 13, officials from more than 100 nations, scientists, and innovators will gather in Nice, France, for the United Nations Ocean Conference, held only once every few years.
—Marc Benioff, Time, 8 June 2025
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 June 2025
As a result, the coalition's cases in Florida, Indiana, and Louisiana are currently on hold until the Supreme Court weighs in.
—Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Toothless holds his own alongside Hiccup, even as the actor appears in what look more like sets than bona fide locations.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025
From June 9 to June 13, officials from more than 100 nations, scientists, and innovators will gather in Nice, France, for the United Nations Ocean Conference, held only once every few years.
—Marc Benioff, Time, 8 June 2025
Noun
The directive, which required large companies to identify and address human rights and environmental impacts across their supply chains, is now partially on hold, leaving many companies in limbo.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 June 2025
As a result, the coalition's cases in Florida, Indiana, and Louisiana are currently on hold until the Supreme Court weighs in.
—Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine, 7 June 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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His gripped his white wine like a potion, delivering hope.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The deceptively simple secret to this prolific output that keeps Caamp (in addition to Sumbuck, his solo side project) awash in deeply personal, bittersweet vignettes?—
Janine Schaults,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
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The reissued advisory keeps Italy at a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, due to terrorism.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Now is the time of year when families start thinking about a summer vacation.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
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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As of Friday evening, the blaze has been fully contained.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
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Ars Video Brains, brains, and more brains Because each arm of an octopus contains its own bundle of neurons, the limbs can operate semi-independently from the central brain, enabling faster responses since signals don’t always need to travel back and forth between the brain and the arms.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2025
Verb
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At 18, Neave already has a League Cup winners’ medal, despite having yet to make a first-team appearance.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Prospective candidates had until May 30 to submit their applications.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
Verb
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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
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Humectants are substances that attract and retain water molecules, keeping things moist and hydrated by drawing moisture from the air or from deeper layers of the skin.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Many offshore banks can accommodate multiple currencies, enhancing diversification and your ability to take advantage of fluctuating currency markets.—
Blake Harris,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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The round table is 14 feet in diameter to accommodate all the players.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Verb
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This new Knockout Mode really helps you to grasp the size of this game, and that brings me to Free Roam. Free Roam is the big new thing for Mario Kart World.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Considering the number of plays that have wowed New York since live television became an American utility, the event’s significance may feel hard to grasp.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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