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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of holding
Matt Peterson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
But that wizardry disappeared months ago as the scenario flipped and Strategy shares tumbled at a pace multiple times the retreat for the coins that are practically its sole holding.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Jim said Dell's results reinforce his bullishness on Club holding Nvidia , given the two companies' close partnership in powering AI systems for hyperscalers and enterprise customers.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
The idea is to broaden the base of potential investors in the underlying crypto holding.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
But that wizardry disappeared months ago as the scenario flipped and Strategy shares tumbled at a pace multiple times the retreat for the coins that are practically its sole holding.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Verb
Since then, the park has expanded the number of ticket tiers and steadily raised prices on the top end while holding the lowest price steady.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
Jim said Dell's results reinforce his bullishness on Club holding Nvidia , given the two companies' close partnership in powering AI systems for hyperscalers and enterprise customers.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
Marks' ruling stems from a hearing about how much pain inmates experience during a nitrogen gas execution.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
With the recent high court ruling against his International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duties barely in the rearview, this path may be less than appealing to the Commander in Chief.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Portland also dominated on the boards to get extra possessions.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Bruno Fernandes pulls the strings in the final third with the precision of his right foot, Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha is essential in speeding up circulation in midfield and maintaining possession, and Bernardo Silva is decisive from the right wing, often popping up in unexpected spaces.—
Esteban Campanela,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Seconds later, the same officer — now with his gun holstered — is captured on the camera crouching and clutching his left shoulder in pain.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
-
Erica Sims, an attendee from Missouri, told me, clutching her tote as though that right was tucked inside it.—
Elaine Godfrey,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Taken together, the two measures highlight a growing tension in a state that prides itself on stewardship of the environment, as policymakers aim to protect threatened or endangered animals while also keeping people, pets and livestock safe.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
Studies found little real difference, but the new patent was an effective tool for keeping generics at bay and continuing to collect monopoly profits.—
Wayne T Brough,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Carson had been thinking about the pesticide DDT since the 1940s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
But Shaboozey, dressed in head-to-toe denim with brown suede boots, his dreadlocks hanging loose across his back, is thinking about his mother.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Officials provided no information on crews’ progress in containing the blaze.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
New analysis published today by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) reveals there are over 621 trillion miles of fungal pathways containing around 300 megatons of carbon within Earth’s topsoils.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Before Mexico-South Africa kicks off here in a few minutes, FIFA is marching in all 48 flags for the countries participating in the tournament and having the flag-bearers stand in a circle at midfield.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
The genre by definition requires re-enactments, and does the act of gathering a bunch actors and going to Tehran (or Morocco) give more credibility to the project than having a computer do it?—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
San Antonio started this game red-hot, owning an 11-point lead after the first quarter, 33-22.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
-
For too many, the dream of owning or renting a first home in New York is unattainable.—
Micah Lasher,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
