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"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in containing
to have within
the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Diller outlined the changes in a note to IAC shareholders Tuesday, noting that going forward the holding company will focus on its MGM holdings and the People publishing business.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
On the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft, holding two first-round picks, the Chiefs concentrated on one side of the ball.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
Not a dollar of his stock holdings, dividends or investment gains figures into what the Social Security Administration sends him each month.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Diller outlined the changes in a note to IAC shareholders Tuesday, noting that going forward the holding company will focus on its MGM holdings and the People publishing business.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Although a spike in jet fuel prices is certainly a nail in the discount airline’s coffin, the hole it is being lowered into was dug three years ago—and Biden was holding the shovel.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
On the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft, holding two first-round picks, the Chiefs concentrated on one side of the ball.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
That worries Thomas Johnson, a Black voter in New Orleans who was at the state Capitol to lobby on unrelated legislation Wednesday when the Supreme Court ruling came down.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The committee does not explain the reasoning behinds its rulings – the season’s fourth and final batch of rulings were made today – but despite her prominence in the revival’s marketing campaign her role as the wife of Nathan Lane’s Willy Loman apparently was deemed a supporting character.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beginning this week, there's going to be more of a focus on attracting gifts, money and possessions, Taurus.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Foligno, who threw his body around all game, found himself near the crease on a Wild possession and was in the right spot as Nico Sturm threw a puck at the net.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Morales is seen in surveillance video clutching at Pulido’s sweater a couple of times with Pulido brushing his hand away before Morales returns and the beating and kicking commences.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Steinem entered the quietly buzzing room wearing all black and clutching a wooden cane painted with blue and pink birds in her right hand.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Eagles seem intent on keeping DeJean at nickel.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But for the moment, with Russia and the military alliance at odds over Ukraine but not at war, pilots on both sides just watched and filmed each other — keeping their distance like wary tomcats with claws unsheathed, their missiles visible but not used.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boston fans can start thinking about the second round.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
And Kibu is hardly the only company thinking about how to achieve ideal ID verification.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Leaving Italy for Paris, Jarmusch said the Italian equivalent of TSA had asked him what was in the box containing his Golden Lion.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Ceasar Mitchell, an attorney representing KMT, told the DAFC board that Council member Linda Pritchett, who represents the district containing the Project Mapco site, wrote a letter in support of the tax break.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Though signs of its impending closure were all around this past weekend, the New Black Wall Street Market was having one last hurrah.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors say Maduro and Rodriguez authorized a series of payments totaling $20 million under terms of the PDV USA contract before having a falling out with Rivera’s group by the end of 2017.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The ship is associated with Mordashov, a Russian billionaire and owner of steel magnate Severstal, with shipping records showing Mordashov’s wife Marina Mordashova, owning the vessel for a brief window in 2022.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Stars are expected to follow the same game plan executed by the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers; move into a new venue, and create new revenue by owning the surrounding properties, too.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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