HOLDS Synonyms: 412 Similar and Opposite Words

holds 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hold

as in grips

to have or keep in one's hands this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder

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as in retains

to continue to have in one's possession or power she, and she alone, held the keys to the mysterious chest

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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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as in contains

to have within the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions

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as in has

to keep in one's mind or heart still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted

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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

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as in accommodates

to make or have room for the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people

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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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as in considers

to think of in a particular way held to be the best blueberry pies in the state

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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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as in aims

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal held the camera on the actor throughout the scene

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holds

2 of 2

noun

plural of hold

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

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as in strongholds

a structure or place from which one can resist attack the ruins of an ancient Roman hold

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as in controls

the right or means to command or control others the government has no hold over where we live and work

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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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outsides

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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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

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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

San Bruno’s 1-million-cubic-foot facility alone holds more than 750,000 immigration case files, many of which document Asian American and Pacific Islander history on the West Coast. — Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 Ivan’s room feels practically airless, his face obscured in shadows, or captured in hazy side profiles, as Anica’s bright, concerned gaze holds the frame’s focus. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 The firm holds Better Business Bureau accreditation with an A rating. — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Today, Hempstead still calls itself the Watermelon Capital and holds a Watermelon Festival each July to celebrate its roots. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 The building seems even more solid than the other projects here due to its massive masonry pier that holds the corner of Mozart and Diversey Avenue. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 China holds a trump card in rare earths — critical minerals necessary for making many items, from smartphones to electric vehicles and fighter jets. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 The prospect of a player who can cover both positions holds significant appeal. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Food and drink Level 0, just off the urban boardwalk connecting Putney and Hammersmith Bridges, holds the Riverside Market Food Hall. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

If the direction of travel holds, the marginal buyer of gold for the next ten years is somebody who doesn't care about the price and isn't going to sell. — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 According to the latest Bloomberg data, the stock has the equivalent of 70 buy ratings, eight holds and no sells. — Jay Woods, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 Exercises such as hollow holds, dead bugs, and glute bridges engage your deep core and can be done from bed. — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 18 Aug. 2026 The diagnosis was the beginning of a run of hospitalizations and mental health holds. — Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds

Verb

The Mercyenforcer grips the handle of his light in his bare hand to look into my other eye.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of grips

Verb

With the upgrade, Apple retains the size of the M4 Mac mini but packs a new M6 processor to deliver four times better AI performance, two times faster storage and graphics, and 40% better CPU performance, the company says.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
But get past the hype, and what follows is a good example of how to conduct deeply personal journalistic work that retains both a level of compassion and criticism.

— Becca James, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of retains

Verb

But with veterans like Bell and Taylor Rogers in the clubhouse, Shelton thinks too many managerial speeches could be overkill.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Unlike some sportsmen who boast of using modern, complicated equipment to improve their shooting, Kontras thinks more of his skills as a hunter than a shooter.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of thinks

Verb

Each contains a proprietary ingredient combination named VitaMega Complex, consisting of vitamin-C rich Kakadu plum, inositol to strengthen the hair fiber, and sacha inchi, an omega-dense oil that nourishes hair.

— Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
This pick from Dagne Dover pretty much checks every box—it is made from thick neoprene material that stands up on its own, contains multiple pockets for storage, and has a removable mesh pouch.

— Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of contains

Verb

Geoff Wilson, a 2001 UF graduate from Sarasota, owns the only one printed.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Fenway Sports Group, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, reportedly sold 40% of Premier League club Liverpool to a consortium that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of owns

Verb

With the Paramount closed, some film premieres will be held at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, which accommodates about 2,800.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Primary Bath To fit a tub in the primary bath, Tribbett created a step-up that accommodates plumbing and angled the tub to leave room for a shower on the right.

— Laura Fenton, Midwest Living, 14 Aug. 2026