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"
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of holds
Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Opened in the ’80s and lovingly restored in recent years, the park still holds a timeless charm of bright lights, rides, and carousel music that carries into the night.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
Jolie and Rorra are solid alternatives with independent testing data, though neither holds full NSF certification.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Everyone holds knowledge and its opposite at once.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 15 May 2026
As for what the future holds, Tolle’s experience offers a blueprint.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Meanwhile, Villaraigosa holds 1%.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Red Square is where Russia holds its traditional military parade to celebrate Victory Day, one of the biggest holidays of the year.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Continue reading … BALLOT TALK — Rubio's viral White House briefing clip fuels 2028 buzz as Vance holds frontrunner spot.
—FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
The scale of destruction has Lebanese officials and residents worried that large numbers of people displaced by the latest war will have nowhere to return if the fragile truce holds.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
While big redevelopment conversations continue behind the scenes, many Detroiters are still waiting to see what the future of the property holds.
—Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Because of downsizing, wait times on the 1-800 number soared last year, with reports of hours-long holds.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Where errors cascade across networks, the supply chain and logistics archetype holds.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
In that order, Judge Susan van Keulen said government lawyers confirmed the USCIS has a duty to issue a timely decision on an application — and also that the holds are indefinite, two contradictory arguments.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
He is currently being held without bond due to his status as an out-of-state fugitive, with legal holds stemming from Rockdale County, Georgia.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Regulations focus on risk management, as lithium battery incidents can escalate rapidly and are harder to control in cargo holds.
—Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
The bank holds the underlying fiat fully reserved and does not lend or invest it.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Opened in the ’80s and lovingly restored in recent years, the park still holds a timeless charm of bright lights, rides, and carousel music that carries into the night.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
Jolie and Rorra are solid alternatives with independent testing data, though neither holds full NSF certification.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Everyone holds knowledge and its opposite at once.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 15 May 2026
As for what the future holds, Tolle’s experience offers a blueprint.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Meanwhile, Villaraigosa holds 1%.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Red Square is where Russia holds its traditional military parade to celebrate Victory Day, one of the biggest holidays of the year.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Continue reading … BALLOT TALK — Rubio's viral White House briefing clip fuels 2028 buzz as Vance holds frontrunner spot.
—FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Noun
These holds and delays expose DACA recipients, like Arguelles, to losing their jobs and face the possibility of deportation.
—Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
The scale of destruction has Lebanese officials and residents worried that large numbers of people displaced by the latest war will have nowhere to return if the fragile truce holds.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
While big redevelopment conversations continue behind the scenes, many Detroiters are still waiting to see what the future of the property holds.
—Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Because of downsizing, wait times on the 1-800 number soared last year, with reports of hours-long holds.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Where errors cascade across networks, the supply chain and logistics archetype holds.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
In that order, Judge Susan van Keulen said government lawyers confirmed the USCIS has a duty to issue a timely decision on an application — and also that the holds are indefinite, two contradictory arguments.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
He is currently being held without bond due to his status as an out-of-state fugitive, with legal holds stemming from Rockdale County, Georgia.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Regulations focus on risk management, as lithium battery incidents can escalate rapidly and are harder to control in cargo holds.
—Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds
Verb
-
In one example, the robot grips a can sideways, a simple mistake that could lead to spills, showing that human-like understanding remains limited.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Fast forward to today and those fears have materialized with dizzying speed as a historic oil and gas crisis sparked by the US and Israel’s war with Iran grips the world.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Beckham retains a 45% stake in the business after selling the remainder of his commercial empire to Authentic Brands Group.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
As part of the acquisition, Sentivo retains the intellectual property of Cielo Estate, including its branding, member base and existing inventory, which will be sold under the Sentivo imprimatur.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
As heavily shorted stocks rise, Cramer thinks investors betting against them may be forced to buy shares back — a dynamic known as a short squeeze that can accelerate gains even without a major change in fundamentals.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Everyone thinks fat stores are just these passive blobs of tissue that hang off your body.—
Eileen Finan,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The grain contains avenanthramides, which are antioxidants found exclusively in oats, says Coogan.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
17 May 2026
-
Wallace Chan’s Secular Interpretation of Religious Rituals Oil and water play central roles in the installation, which, like many of Chan’s creations, contains layered meanings.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Studies have suggested that the pill results in more pronounced weight loss than Foundayo and has certain cardiovascular benefits, but so far, no clinical trial has directly compared the two drugs.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
The year-round surf breaks—including the fast-barreling tubes of Cloud 9, some 30 minutes from the resort—draw most visitors to the island, and Nay Palad’s team has a Rolodex of pro surf instructors on call to show guests the best waves.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The backstory This previously residential Edwardian manor house has been turned into a 31-room hotel and members’ club by former Blakes owner Navid Mirtorabi, with the help of business partner Jamie Reuben, a scion of a family that owns swathes of Mayfair.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
-
An internal memo detailing the WNBA’s expansion plans indicated that Arctos owns roughly 15% of HBSE via a pair of holding companies.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Mallorca also accommodates a relaxed pace, with boutique hotel stays, spa treatments and yoga built into many itineraries.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2026
-
Although my prescription lenses work on the standard frames, some don’t, which is why there is now a $500 version that accommodates a wider range of prescriptions.—
Larry Magid,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
There is only one candidate who grasps the complexity of this crisis and has the legislative experience to address it.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
Rosi’s artistry grasps the limitations of being a long-term guest, visually juxtaposing the ancient and elemental, busts and people.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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