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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of holding
Mike Snider, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Whatever your gold holdings are, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has specific rules that could significantly impact your bottom line.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Republicans have a supermajority in the chamber, holding 40 of the 48 seats.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
Filmmaker Ken Burns regularly uses the Library of Congress holdings when making documentaries.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Whatever your gold holdings are, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has specific rules that could significantly impact your bottom line.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
One of the other attendees, a roommate, saw Irvin running away while holding a gun.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Republicans have a supermajority in the chamber, holding 40 of the 48 seats.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
The ruling against Kim was made about three weeks before the court delivers its verdict on a rebellion charge against Yoon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Both prosecutors and Kim’s team can appeal the ruling.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Zubimendi won possession 12 times during that match — the most by any Arsenal player in a game this season.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Troopers also seized an unregistered gun and ammunition from Cook, who is charged with trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But for those who are not clutching their pearls or foaming at the mouth over Fennell’s interpretation of the original text, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s steamy take on the classic promises to deliver a whole host of method-dressing press tour looks for hungry audiences to obsess over.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Written by Zach Kanin and directed by Alice Mathias, the commercial featured an emotional farewell that took a darkly comedic turn when Chazmo’s attempt to return home went hilariously wrong — all while clutching a bag of Totino’s Pizza Rolls.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hydee Feldstein Soto has praised Gibson Dunn’s work in the LA Alliance case, saying the firm helped the city retain control over its homelessness programs while also keeping Bass and the two council members off the stand.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lewis acknowledged after a 3-9 finish in 2024 that thinking about the collective needs to be emphasized more than ever in this age of transfer portal comings and goings.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Glasgow smile could have been used to send a message to anybody who was thinking of ratting them out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The light is then guided using ultra-precise mirrors and reflected off a mask containing the pattern for one layer of the chip, which is then shrunk and projected onto a silicon wafer.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
There are protections in the bill against releasing images containing personally identifying or other sensitive information.—
Meghan O’Brien,
States Newsroom,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rose emphasized the importance of the dig, as Chinese American cowboys were often overlooked in the historical record, despite having a big economic impact.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
If the right deal for a starting-level center is there for the Pacers right now, will the Pacers actually be buyers despite having the worst record in the NBA?—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The analyst added that owning a bank could also help Affirm bring other products in house.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But they were still politically left behind, among the millions of informal squatters who lived in Manila without owning any of it.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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