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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of holds
Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
One actor in particular, however, holds a special place in Meloni's heart.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Kale Kale is a dark, sturdy leafy green that holds its own amongst your healthiest greens.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 9 Nov. 2025
But the majority of all diamonds – 90% – are cut and polished in India, which holds a towering tariff rate of 50%.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Hopefully that holds for tonight!
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.
—Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Virginia holds key elections on Tuesday.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
The Coast Guard in the immediate years after the Fitzgerald sank rescinded a 1973 amendment to Great Lakes bulk carrier load lines that was allowing the ships to carry more cargo in their holds, with the effect of riding lower in the water.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Even if the current cease-fire holds, these kinds of roadblocks are likely to persist.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
His innovations inspired the ragtag team behind Metolius, a Bend, Oregon climbing company that began experimenting with resin holds, hangboards, and modular tiles.
—Kelli María Korducki, HubSpot, 17 Oct. 2025
Since then, immigration officials have already issued more than 40 percent of all holds made over the entirety of last year.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Morejón won 13 games, saved three games and recorded 20 holds as a first-time All-Star this year.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
This once supreme safety stock saw PTs lowered at many other Wall Street research firms, which maintained a mix of buys and holds.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
At the end of the day, no one has any clue what James' future holds.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
One cheerfully holds a toothbrush, her hair wrapped in a matching second towel (for me, a universal symbol of maturity and womanhood.
—Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
One actor in particular, however, holds a special place in Meloni's heart.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Kale Kale is a dark, sturdy leafy green that holds its own amongst your healthiest greens.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 9 Nov. 2025
But the majority of all diamonds – 90% – are cut and polished in India, which holds a towering tariff rate of 50%.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Hopefully that holds for tonight!
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.
—Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Virginia holds key elections on Tuesday.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
The Colleen Hoover adaptation has shown good holds since its opening and looks to hit a $38 million total domestic gross through Sunday.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
The Coast Guard in the immediate years after the Fitzgerald sank rescinded a 1973 amendment to Great Lakes bulk carrier load lines that was allowing the ships to carry more cargo in their holds, with the effect of riding lower in the water.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Even if the current cease-fire holds, these kinds of roadblocks are likely to persist.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
His innovations inspired the ragtag team behind Metolius, a Bend, Oregon climbing company that began experimenting with resin holds, hangboards, and modular tiles.
—Kelli María Korducki, HubSpot, 17 Oct. 2025
Since then, immigration officials have already issued more than 40 percent of all holds made over the entirety of last year.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Morejón won 13 games, saved three games and recorded 20 holds as a first-time All-Star this year.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
This once supreme safety stock saw PTs lowered at many other Wall Street research firms, which maintained a mix of buys and holds.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
At the end of the day, no one has any clue what James' future holds.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds
Verb
-
This usually immediately grips their attention.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
-
This is the intriguing backdrop for a narrative that never really grips us, even if Chong has an artful way of depicting Hong Im’s lifestyle, which oscillates between real-world issues and religious wizardry.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Free Press retains editorial control of this work.—
Beki San Martin,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material.—
Rowan Briggs,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Peter thinks he's won — Milo is home, the threat to his family is gone — but not so fast.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Grace thinks Pam is talking about herself, in the wake of her husband’s death.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Merino wool, on the other hand, is a cold-weather classic, and my suitcase for winters in Wyoming always contains several tees and tops made with the fabric.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Honey contains mainy sugar along with amino acids, minerals ,and vitamins that give it antioxidant sand anti-inflammatory benefits.—
Gillian Mohney,
Verywell Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Technology is an ever-present disruptor that has a way of commoditizing what once felt unique, driving a kind of Moore’s law-like acceleration into every corner of our daily workflows.—
Phil Gilbert,
Fortune,
12 Nov. 2025
-
According to the explanation on the museum’s website, the use of poppies has its origins in a poem that was penned by a Canadian physician who had served as a field surgeon in Belgium during the Great War.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The company also owns film distribution labels Independent Film Company and RLJE Films, and in-house studio AMC Studios.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Beyond his classic English country house, John also owns properties across Europe, including a summer house in Nice, France, and an apartment in Venice.—
Mekita Rivas,
Architectural Digest,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Walkabout accommodates the owners in a luxe front master's suite accessed via split sliding doors that Keystone calls the first of their kind.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The design also accommodates tech accessories, with vertical pouch configurations suitable for tablets.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The photo shows Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on one knee as Swift grasps his face.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Valeria finally grasps the extent of Manu’s deception after finding Bea dead in her hotel room.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share