holds 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of hold
1
2
3
4
as in contains
to have within the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6
7
as in accommodates
to make or have room for the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people

Synonyms & Similar Words

8
9
10
11

holds

2 of 2

noun

plural of hold
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
3
4
5
6

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 holds
Verb
Chan Gin Kai, founder and CEO of Silver Media Group, said Asia holds some of the richest histories, cultures and mythologies in the world, but many of these stories remain little known outside their home countries. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026 Craig represents the state's Second Congressional District and holds a significant cash advantage in the race. Aki Nace, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 While Mexico holds 140 Tcf of unconventional gas, President Sheinbaum has banned fracking in the southern Tampico-Misantla basin due to population density, indigenous opposition, and freshwater aquifers. Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Georgia voters won’t just decide who holds office this November. Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026 In the hills of Emilia-Romagna, a bank vault holds more than half a million wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano, worth well over 300 million euros. Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 Dussault holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production from Concordia University and a Master’s in Management from HEC Montréal. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026 Chef Yannick Lohou, fresh from Barcelona, holds the dining room spellbound with pretty-as-a-picture dishes such as toro tartare with caviar. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 There’s a quiet to that space, too, that really holds them in a nice way. Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
As of late afternoon Friday, there were 10 different holds and objections to the bill being expedited for a vote, with an additional eight holds pertaining to the PCSA on its own. Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 In order to prep for the intensive shoot, the actors spent two weeks treading water, doing breath holds and training with real kayaks. Matt Minton, Variety, 31 July 2026 Traveling down conveyor belts, bumping around on baggage carts and in cargo holds, suitcases quickly pick up scuffs that can be hard to remove. Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026 Wilson’s edition accounts for 90% of print holds and 57% of ebook and audiobook holds in the NYPL system, which is one of the largest in the country. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 17 July 2026 As long as $120 holds, the pattern of higher lows stays intact. Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 16 July 2026 More than 800 existing holds for Chromebooks and hotspots will be canceled when the program officially concludes later this month. Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 12 July 2026 Anyone who was penalized for not paying their taxes or for filing late tax returns during the disaster declaration period plus 60 days may be eligible for potential refunds or abatements if the judge’s ruling holds. Connor Greene, Time, 8 July 2026 Each class features Primary Posture and a combination of dynamic stretching, isometric movements (like holds and pulses), and cardio bursts. Hannah Harper, Health, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds
Verb
  • New Orleans is facing an unusual weather combination as Tropical Storm Bertha moves along the northern Gulf Coast while dangerous heat grips the region.
    Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 22 July 2026
  • Your makeup will only look as good as your base, and the hydrating formula leaves a beautiful, glowy canvas that grips onto foundation and prevents makeup from settling into fine lines.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • These vital data pipelines, owned and operated by Silicon Valley tech giants, account for 70 % of usable undersea cables in 2026, yet Washington retains the right to restrict where these networks go and who has access.
    Alex Capri, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The woody, cracked texture is more prominent, the tree trunk retains a much crisper, rugged look, and the colors are more vivid.
    Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The second time, Ghaida thinks the Israelis may have made a mistake.
    Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The other side thinks that landing an elite star that was recently the Best Player at the World Cup is a no brainer, with the chance to twist the knife into Real Madrid also too good to pass up.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Kash explains that turmeric contains a specific type of polyphenol called curcumin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties (and is what gives the spice its bright yellow color).
    Marie Bladt, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Tampico-Misantla basin contains 20 Tcf of unconventional gas, which may not be critical to supply Mexico.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Ryan Hawk is the host of The Learning Leader Show, which is regularly ranked among the top business podcasts in the world and has millions of listeners annually.
    Big Think, Big Think, 5 Aug. 2026
  • My mom has great style year round, but the fall is when her wardrobe really shines.
    Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The nonprofit owns two houses to provide affordable housing for physically disabled adults in the Santa Clara Valley.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Ask what is owed, confirm who owns which task, and put the agreement somewhere people can reference.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The mid-sized 737-8 carries 160 to 180 passengers across a range of up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km), whereas the larger 737-9 accommodates 175 to 195 passengers with a maximum range of 3,300 nautical miles (6,110 km).
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
  • People like them want to work, but finding a job that safely accommodates their disease management is easier said than done, Schroer said.
    Helen Branswell, STAT, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Real thinking — the kind that understands a question, grasps its context and goes out to gather information before formulating a response.
    Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • His eyes and smile are too wide, and his right hand grasps the air.
    Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Cite this Entry

“Holds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on holds

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!