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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

as in contains

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

as in accommodates

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

as in considers

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in strongholds

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Verb

Vallow Daybell holds doomsday religious beliefs and has claimed that people in her life were possessed by evil spirits. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026 Those contests will determine which political party holds majorities in the House and Senate. — Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026 In Lee County, which holds a population of 190,118 people, Jones has been in office for more than 27 years — and he's rarely had an opponent. — News Editor, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 Vertical, which holds North American rights, will release the film in select theaters and on VOD on December 4, 2026. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026 It was signed by Bisignano, who holds both roles as IRS chief executive and Social Security Administration commissioner. — Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026 The site currently holds a former Burger King that has sat vacant for several years. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026 Among the 233 two-man combos around the NBA that entered Monday with 50 or more minutes played together this season, the Adebayo-Antetokounmpo pairing holds the fifth-worst net rating. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026 Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, who sits on the company’s board, holds 9,410 shares. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026

Noun

Deutsche Bank's recommendation matches the consensus on Wall Street, where 40 out of 55 analysts rate CrowdStrike a buy or strong buy, with 13 holds, LSEG data shows. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026 This included four false starts, three holds, two defensive pass interferences and an ineligible receiver downfield. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026 Range Control imposed safety check-holds across adjacent training sectors to clear the zone and protect surrounding operations. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026 If the demand Gupta describes holds, the atelier could show that an independent house from India — or, perhaps, anywhere in the Global South — can establish a fruitful global presence. — Sujata Assomull, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026 There are holds installed all over a window, leading to moments of awkward eye contact with passersby outside. — Sarah Rose Siskind, Curbed, 28 Sep. 2026 Before moving it to cloud servers, test whether a searchable archive can meet access and retention needs, including legal holds. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 While the most onerous traffic delays — the 20-minute holds — are largely over, Kionka said, motorists should still expect some impacts for the remainder of the project, including occasional traffic shifts, closures and detours. — Robert Tann, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2026 The duo walks away from this skirmish, though not unscathed, as Samjad quickly and economically sets up a blistering saga of stylish reprisals with no holds barred. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds

Verb

For a robot learning to make coffee, those recordings could show how someone grips a cup, positions it beneath a grinder and moves it without spilling.

— Wen Shao, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026
One mechanical arm grips a branch while the other operates the chainsaw.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of grips

Verb

The local rabble-rouser thinks people will be pleasantly surprised, And not just those who lived through that insane time.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Blank thinks many California transplants were primarily motivated by housing costs, with politics being secondary.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of thinks

Verb

California officials, however, say the government’s list contains substantial inaccuracies and risks disenfranchising eligible citizens.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026
The study contains no word on the protein component of hemoglobin being preserved.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of contains

Verb

Asphalt contractor Albert Santing, who has 28 years of experience in the industry, said the quieter operation improved working conditions on the Groningen project.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
The 19-year-old Acuff has 288 points, the most by any rookie through the first 11 games of a season since Michael Jordan scored 289 for the Chicago Bulls in 1984.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of has

Verb

Its parent company, Collectors, also owns rival grading brands Beckett and SGC, pricing-data platform Card Ladder, the PSA Vault and financial services.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
Be specific about where things broke down, who owns the correction, and what employees can expect to see change, including from you.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of owns

Verb

The Juliette Bucket Bag features a durable pebbled leather exterior and a spacious interior that accommodates essentials like a phone, wallet, sunglasses, and a tablet, while a magnetic closure keeps belongings secure.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2026
Cap Ferret Prestige Suite, the largest of all, comfortably accommodates four thanks to a sleeper sofa and offers fantastic views of the village and Arcachon Bay.

— Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2026