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
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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
Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF, which counts names such as Microsoft and Salesforce among its top holdings, is down more than 20% this year.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Kemon Spell understands why Georgia football fans might be holding their breath about his commitment to the Bulldogs.
—Jeff Sentell, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
Harbinger is focused on making minority investments and will not sell its portfolio holdings through an M&A transaction or an IPO, Williams said.
—Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 18 Feb. 2026
The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF, which counts names such as Microsoft and Salesforce among its top holdings, is down more than 20% this year.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is not holding any news conferences today.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Kemon Spell understands why Georgia football fans might be holding their breath about his commitment to the Bulldogs.
—Jeff Sentell, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
Yoon, who can appeal the ruling, had denied the insurrection charge, saying his imposition of martial law was meant to alert the public to paralysing political gridlock caused by the opposition party’s majority in the National Assembly and its impeachment of several senior officials.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
After losing similar cases, the decision to tap Kelesis indicates the White House does not expect a ruling in Chattah's favor.—
JESSICA HILL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Down by as many as five points in the third quarter, Tennessee had a chance to either cut into the Longhorns' three-point lead or tie the game on the third quarter's final possession.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The Zags scored 11 of the next 13 points for a 66-62 lead, cranking up their transition game while the Broncos went seven possessions without a field goal.—
Jeff Faraudo,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If that sounds like clutching at straws, Italy and Norway have to play the two best men’s teams in Cortina so far, Switzerland and Canada, respectively.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
When Germany’s Laura Nolte’s final run came up short to Meyers Taylor’s time, the veteran Olympian fell to her knees in tears of joy, clutching an American flag, with her two sons, five-year-old Nico and 3-year-old Noah by her side.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The basic things — paying the electric bill, going to the doctor, keeping a roof over your head — get more expensive every day, while wages stay rock-bottom and jobs get harder and harder to find.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The five preceding episodes depicted Louie’s worsening health, with Harden keeping a dignified smile on Louie’s face but also moving a little slower and admitting to more pain.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, thinking about how great the makeup artist made my skin look has inspired me to keep trying.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Leave with your interviewer being a fan of yours and thinking of you when the right position comes along.—
Phil Blair,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In this study, P-free and P-containing glasses and glass ceramics were synthesized and evaluated using various analytical methods to clarify the influence of P addition on the glass structure and state of P after crystallization.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The dish gets all of its flavor from a rice mixture containing onions, peppers, tomatoes, and bacon that roasts in the pan alongside the chicken.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There were noticeable knock-on effects of having so few fixtures.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Once chewed up by the machine of expectation and found guilty of the eternal athletic sin of having too much talent too soon, Liu has since learned how to spit back rather than be spit out.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Ricketts family enters its 17th season owning the franchise and coming off the Cubs’ first playoff appearance since 2020, the long-term vision remains the same.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In the fall, the actress made the case for owning a pair of low-slung, baggy blue jeans.—
Kaelin Dodge,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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