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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in accommodating
to make or have room for
the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 22 Oct. 2025
Since 2022, CalPERS has nearly doubled its private equity holdings, from $50 billion to $92 billion.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
The follow-up tease showed someone holding a bunch of wires, insinuating that her costume likely has some animatronics involved.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
In 2018, Disney was eyeing a move downtown and sold off its holdings along the block to Silverstein Properties, which in turn later sold 77 West 66th Street and 54 West 67th Street to Extell for $931 million.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 22 Oct. 2025
Since 2022, CalPERS has nearly doubled its private equity holdings, from $50 billion to $92 billion.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
At the police station, she was booked, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell with other female protesters for about five hours before being released.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
The follow-up tease showed someone holding a bunch of wires, insinuating that her costume likely has some animatronics involved.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
The court's ruling could influence how future AI laws evolve and how victims seek justice.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
After considerable time, referee Cal McNeill announced that the ruling on the field — even though there had not been any indication of one — was that the ball indeed hit a Nevada player and was recovered by the Broncos.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Maldives also maintains a complete ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, regardless of age.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The Rainbows have been effective in the red zone, scoring on 97% of their possessions inside the 20-yard line.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Davis landed awkwardly and began clutching at his lower body.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
-
His groin ached as if Sister Wang had been clutching him for years.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Larson, the only Asian American to race full-time in NASCAR, has not won a race since May, totaling 24 consecutive races but thanked his crew chief Cliff Daniels for keeping the team together.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Brands raced to expand through new stores and soaring stock keeping units — using quantity as the main measure of success.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Cami eventually gives her baby, a boy, up for adoption, thinking nothing bad will ever happen to him.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The nameplate has all but been a Japanese exclusive since its debut—a limited number were exported to Europe and China during its second generation—but in recent years there have been signs that the company was thinking about broadening its reach.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Firefighters employed a blanket containing a mixture of foam and water, because of fuel leaking on the ground, to put out the fire, the Daily Herald reported, adding there was no damage to the mall’s interior or nearby structures.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
When the brand debuted, its landing page on Target’s website got north of 167,000 visits, and over 12,000 purchases were made, typically containing multiple items.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fast and Free High-rise Tight 25-inch 5-pocket There’s simply no such thing as having too many pockets, as exhibited by these fan-favorite five-pocket leggings, which are currently $69.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
However, after having the scan, Bishop had the uneasy sense that something wasn’t right.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Seeing women of diverse ages walk with such confidence—owning their scars, flat reconstructions or their choice to remain flat—was a powerful act of defiance.—
Tabitha Britt,
Flow Space,
30 Oct. 2025
-
No longer a slave, Ashur has clawed his way to power, owning the same ludus that once owned him.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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