1
as in ruling
a decision made by a court or tribunal regarding a case it has heard
the court's holding was based on an interpretation of the First Amendment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in possession
usually holdings plural
transportable items that one owns
the museum's holdings of ancient manuscripts are among the rarest in the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in clutching
to have or keep in one's hands
this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in keeping
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in thinking
to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in containing
to have within
the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions
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5
as in having
to keep in one's mind or heart
still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in owning
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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7
as in accommodating
to make or have room for
the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people
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8
as in grasping
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in considering
to think of in a particular way
held to be the best blueberry pies in the state
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10
as in controlling
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in aiming
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
held the camera on the actor throughout the scene
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of holding
Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
The glaring challenge for investors will be the actual worth of the holdings.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
The Southwest Utah Public Health Department is not holding vaccine clinics.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
Quanta Services is the most heavily weighted holding.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
The glaring challenge for investors will be the actual worth of the holdings.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
In 2018, the state required those with fewer than 50% eligible members to either disband or go through a lengthy recertification process that involved getting signatures and holding a formal election.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
The Southwest Utah Public Health Department is not holding vaccine clinics.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
Khamenei was both Hezbollah’s political ally and its paramount spiritual guide; the group followed his religious rulings and used his authority to legitimize violent acts.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
On Monday, a judge issued a default eviction ruling in favor of Rourke’s landlord, Eric Goldie, for possession of the home and termination of the rental agreement, according to documents in Los Angeles Superior Court.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Angel City won the possession battle (60-40 percent) and limited Chicago to just two shots on goal.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The man who shot the gun is being booked for possession of a firearm by an ineligible person.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There was a scary moment in the second half when the Knights' John Bol fell to the floo r clutching his chest.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Ref Bankes initially ignored the wide-eyed protests of several Chelsea players to flash only his yellow card as Garnacho writhed, grimacing on the floor and clutching his left leg.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Their structure allows liquids containing potential analytes to move freely through the gel while keeping bacteria trapped inside the material.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
-
But the fact that employees still showed up, including without pay during last year’s federal government shutdown, demonstrates their commitment to keeping the beloved parks flourishing.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Deschanel’s review tapped into something a lot of people had been thinking but hadn’t articulated publicly.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Elward said Traynere was using the email to gain a political advantage and learn what members of the opposing party were thinking.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a study published today in Frontiers in Earth Science, the researchers analyzed a nearly 32-feet-long (10 meters) ice core containing atmospheric records spanning the Roman empire up to the mid-17th century.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
13 Mar. 2026
-
On the southwest coast, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office published a detailed document containing information about county laws and micromobility safety, including a call for parents to help keep their children safe while riding.—
Alissa Gary,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bradbury said having an identity is key in this league, and likes the physical brand of football played in head coach Ben Johnson's offense.—
Matt Zahn,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Aiding a teenager slumped on the ground having a medical episode this month led to North Miami Beach officers learning that a Miami Gardens man had been raping her for at least the last two years — a discovery that her mother had long since made, authorities say.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Amphitheaters are a huge part of Live Nation’s business, with the company owning about 150 across the country.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That’s how Netflix goes from selling CPMs on dramas to owning an entirely new premium ad category.—
Max Cutler,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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