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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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
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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
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Recent Examples of holding
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2025
We were stuck in a holding pattern, circling in Jordanian airspace near the border with Israel while awaiting the order to proceed.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
The moment that really took my breath away, as a viewer, is at the end of episode six when Jake realizes that Vince is the one holding him at gunpoint during the robbery at Black Rabbit.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
Also joining in on the fun is Netflix, which continues its pursuit of event-scale live sports holdings with the acquisition of the Home Run Derby.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2025
We were stuck in a holding pattern, circling in Jordanian airspace near the border with Israel while awaiting the order to proceed.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
The lineup of dishes and sauces and combos verges on overwhelming; they’re presented in a mix of typefaces and colors, and punctuated by herky-jerky photo animations—a waving hand holding a soft-serve twist, spidery fingers with brass nail extensions used in the traditional Thai dance Fawn Leb.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
The moment that really took my breath away, as a viewer, is at the end of episode six when Jake realizes that Vince is the one holding him at gunpoint during the robbery at Black Rabbit.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
The ruling ends litigation that began six years ago when two NHL players, Kyle Palmieri and Scott Wilson; one former MLB player, Jeff Francoeur; and the NHLPA, NFLPA and MLBPA sued Pittsburgh.—
Robert Raiola,
Sportico.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
In a series of decisions, lower courts have struck down the executive order as unconstitutional, or likely so, even after a Supreme Court ruling in late June that limited judges’ use of nationwide injunctions.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Protect your property and possessions from fire, theft, and other unexpected perils.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
His record includes larceny, theft, and marijuana possession, the agency said.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In her post, Audrey and her little one can be seen snuggling up together, with her baby boy clutching her finger.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Ginsberg took the stage, clutching his typewritten pages.—
Gerard DeGroot,
Air Mail,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Daniel Jones has been accurate and efficient, and Jonathan Taylor continues to be a workhorse in the backfield, breaking through tackles and keeping defenses honest.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Republicans control both chambers of Congress, but a temporary measure keeping the government open would require at least 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate, meaning some Democratic votes are needed.—
Terry Moseley,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Graduates from the Budapest Metropolitan University also presented their collections at the Hungarian National Museum, while Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design students showcased their forward-thinking work on campus.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Championing forward-thinking music has always been my mission, just as working alongside powerful women and incredible musicians has been.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, people who are allergic to olives should avoid all products containing olives, including olive oil.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The suspect, who had been living in the town of Starnberg south of the city, had been carrying a backpack containing an explosive device, a Bavaria police statement said earlier.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Despite having three new starters on the offensive line, Winchester dictated the pace, which led to a dominating performance from senior captain Gianni DePrimeo, who ran for five touchdowns.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The animosity between the two boiled over when suspicions grew among the Joneses that Brandon was Marty Baker’s secret informant, after a Skeet associate spotted Brandon and Baker having lunch together in Mentone.—
Mitch Moxley,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The survey discovered that tablets have the highest proportion of ownership among children compared to any other device, with 47 percent of children aged 0 to 8 owning their own.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The deal would further consolidate the local television landscape and put Nexstar in 80% of America's TV-owning households, per a press release, despite current law permitting no more than 39%.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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