1
as in grips
to have or keep in one's hands
this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retains
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 thinks
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
5
as in has
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 owns
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
8
as in grasps
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
10
as in regulates
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 aims
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
1
as in clasps
the act or manner of holding
make sure you have a firm hold on the chain saw before you turn it on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strongholds
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the ruins of an ancient Roman hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in controls
the right or means to command or control others
the government has no hold over where we live and work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in jails
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
upon hearing the guilty verdict, the accused realized that he would lie in that godforsaken hold for the remainder of his life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in understandings
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
I need to get hold of the situation before planning a course of action
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in imprisonments
the state of being held in lawful custody
a suspected terrorist who was abducted at an airport and put in hold at an undisclosed location
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 holds
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Sanofi holds a dominant position in both countries, according to the EC.
—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
26 June 2026
That holds regardless of which model wins the benchmark race, because the agent arrives as a guest in the system of record, not as its successor.
—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
But while his father holds a consultancy job, Gustaf became a footballer, with support from his family.
—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
But maybe that earlier movie also holds the key to this one.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
An individual holds a handful of hail pellets in Waite Park, Minnesota, after storms rolled through on June 19, 2026.
—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
The Entertainment Business Center in Tokyo manages more than 100 brand-IP collaborations annually and holds investment positions in more than 60 anime titles.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Hannah Fingerhut,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
The ruling was issued as part of a class-action lawsuit filed by noncitizens challenging ICE’s recent practice of making arrests at immigration courthouses and detaining people for extended periods in facilities designed for short-term holds.
—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
If $200 holds and semiconductor sentiment stabilizes, NVDA could begin rebuilding toward the $225 resistance area.
—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
The team compared the vessel’s size, along with the position of its masts and cargo holds, against blueprints of the Hōfuku Maru, built in 1919.
—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
In other cases, DCA flights may be delayed by temporary holds as coordinated through air traffic control communications.
—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Our office is ready for any uptick in crime the World Cup may bring, including requesting passport holds for visitors charged with serious Class A or B felonies and increasing on-call staff to ensure efficient review and filing for crimes that may be committed overnight or over the weekends.
—
Ben Wheeler
june 12,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
This indicates that in more than half of the cases, individuals encountered by local police were subsequently subject to federal immigration holds or detainer requests following an arrest or stop.
—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
That’s why God invented trunks and cargo holds.
—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
Verb
Nouvel is Jolie's former investment firm, which holds what was once her 50% stake in the winery.
—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
27 June 2026
Sanofi holds a dominant position in both countries, according to the EC.
—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
26 June 2026
That holds regardless of which model wins the benchmark race, because the agent arrives as a guest in the system of record, not as its successor.
—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
But while his father holds a consultancy job, Gustaf became a footballer, with support from his family.
—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
But maybe that earlier movie also holds the key to this one.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
An individual holds a handful of hail pellets in Waite Park, Minnesota, after storms rolled through on June 19, 2026.
—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
The Entertainment Business Center in Tokyo manages more than 100 brand-IP collaborations annually and holds investment positions in more than 60 anime titles.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
Over a decade, more than 1,000 people have died across the country after police subdued them through means not intended to be lethal, such as physical holds, Tasers and body blows, an investigation led by The Associated Press found.
—
Hannah Fingerhut,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
The ruling was issued as part of a class-action lawsuit filed by noncitizens challenging ICE’s recent practice of making arrests at immigration courthouses and detaining people for extended periods in facilities designed for short-term holds.
—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
If $200 holds and semiconductor sentiment stabilizes, NVDA could begin rebuilding toward the $225 resistance area.
—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
The team compared the vessel’s size, along with the position of its masts and cargo holds, against blueprints of the Hōfuku Maru, built in 1919.
—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
In other cases, DCA flights may be delayed by temporary holds as coordinated through air traffic control communications.
—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Our office is ready for any uptick in crime the World Cup may bring, including requesting passport holds for visitors charged with serious Class A or B felonies and increasing on-call staff to ensure efficient review and filing for crimes that may be committed overnight or over the weekends.
—
Ben Wheeler
june 12,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
This indicates that in more than half of the cases, individuals encountered by local police were subsequently subject to federal immigration holds or detainer requests following an arrest or stop.
—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
That’s why God invented trunks and cargo holds.
—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds
Verb
-
This Laura Geller hydrating primer creates a silky-smooth canvas that grips your foundation for all-day wear.
-
Together with slight pressure from your foot, the claw head and pedal penetrates soil, grips the weed, and pulls it straight out of the ground from its roots.
Verb
-
The microfiber fabric is feathery light and airy, but still retains a soft and cuddly feel to keep you comfortable no matter the season.
-
The small kitchen retains its midcentury charm, but open shelving above the counter provides an airier, more contemporary cupboard to show off Miranda-Martin’s dish and glassware collection.
Verb
-
William thinks like the future king.
-
But Swift has had enough Best Original Song attempts to know that her star power does not have as much influence over the Music Branch as the outside world thinks.
Verb
-
Every plate contains high-quality protein to support muscle repair and recovery, carbohydrates to replenish energy stores, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, calcium, iron and magnesium.
-
This article contains spoilers from House of the Dragon season 3, episode 2.
Verb
-
The sport has a big future because of you guys.
-
Legend has it that when an unsuspecting new man on the paper’s composing desk left out the agate type one day there were lots of problems for bettors and bookies across the city.
Verb
-
There is some fluctuation year to year in the baseball itself, though the league now owns and controls production of the on-field ball.
-
Oklahoma City owns picks 12, 17, and 37 entering the draft.
Verb
-
An upper floor was added in 2014 and accommodates a gourmet food court showcasing the best of Tuscan cuisine alongside chic wine and coffee bars.
-
At the helm, bucket seats reinforce the high- performance feel, while the cockpit accommodates up to 12 guests, with a central dining area, twin aft sunpads, and a larger sunpad forward.
Verb
-
There is only one candidate who grasps the complexity of this crisis and has the legislative experience to address it.
-
But Zou’s cinema grasps that unideal truths often can be concealed underneath beautiful surfaces.
Cite this Entry
“Holds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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