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
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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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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
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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
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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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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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11
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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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
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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
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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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holds
ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Cost-efficient energy and chemical production Researchers revealed that solar-power photocatalysis – turning sunlight into energy – holds promise for sustainable and cost-efficient energy and chemical production.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Control over the strait is now the regime’s greatest source of leverage, and the war’s outcome will depend chiefly on whether Iran still holds sway over it, and thus global energy markets.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Before the main downtown festival starts in June, Arts & Ideas holds neighborhood festivals in other parts of New Haven.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
In the interim, as Amazon has not yet renewed Gen V for a third season and viewers wait to watch Marie’s story unfold on the fifth season of the original superhero series, Sinclair is gearing up for her Boys debut and looking forward to what her career holds next.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
The trip holds serious symbolism for the couple, who last visited just five months after their nuptials.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The pregnancy is far along—the woman holds the curve.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
If tradition holds, there will be a sketch where other members of the club make cameo appearances and present him with the jacket.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
What other surprises de Sitter holds are yet to be seen, but the landscape seems to be ripe for insights, Loparco said.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Of the 67 analysts tracked by Bloomberg who are covering Microsoft, 63 have buy ratings, while three have holds and one rates it a sell.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Sasaki moved to the bullpen for the playoffs and recorded three saves and two holds.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Both dates were already reserved on the Comscore calendar by the studio with untitled holds.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Another Facebook post focused on the frustration of $100 holds placed on debit cards when paying at fuel pumps.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Her mental health began to suffer, and following two involuntary psychiatric holds and losing custody of her sons in 2008, Jamie Spears was granted a temporary conservatorship over his daughter.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
As of March 4, 280 people had been released to Immigration and Customs Enforcement from LMDC, while another 67 incarcerated people have holds, according to Collins.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
Congress holds first hearing in 50 years on UFOs following reports of unexplained aerial phenomena by the military.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Cost-efficient energy and chemical production Researchers revealed that solar-power photocatalysis – turning sunlight into energy – holds promise for sustainable and cost-efficient energy and chemical production.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Control over the strait is now the regime’s greatest source of leverage, and the war’s outcome will depend chiefly on whether Iran still holds sway over it, and thus global energy markets.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Before the main downtown festival starts in June, Arts & Ideas holds neighborhood festivals in other parts of New Haven.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
In the interim, as Amazon has not yet renewed Gen V for a third season and viewers wait to watch Marie’s story unfold on the fifth season of the original superhero series, Sinclair is gearing up for her Boys debut and looking forward to what her career holds next.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
The trip holds serious symbolism for the couple, who last visited just five months after their nuptials.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The pregnancy is far along—the woman holds the curve.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
If tradition holds, there will be a sketch where other members of the club make cameo appearances and present him with the jacket.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
The launch team has a series of pre-planned holds, including one at the 40-minute mark and the 10-minute mark.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
What other surprises de Sitter holds are yet to be seen, but the landscape seems to be ripe for insights, Loparco said.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Of the 67 analysts tracked by Bloomberg who are covering Microsoft, 63 have buy ratings, while three have holds and one rates it a sell.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Sasaki moved to the bullpen for the playoffs and recorded three saves and two holds.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Both dates were already reserved on the Comscore calendar by the studio with untitled holds.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
Another Facebook post focused on the frustration of $100 holds placed on debit cards when paying at fuel pumps.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Her mental health began to suffer, and following two involuntary psychiatric holds and losing custody of her sons in 2008, Jamie Spears was granted a temporary conservatorship over his daughter.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
As of March 4, 280 people had been released to Immigration and Customs Enforcement from LMDC, while another 67 incarcerated people have holds, according to Collins.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds
Verb
-
The race begins with a rigorous climb up a mountain on skis fitted with a special fabric skin that grips the snow as the athletes sprint uphill.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The community held a candlelight vigil to pray for Nancy Guthrie's safe return as the baffling case grips the nation.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Crucially, private credit retains structural advantages that are difficult for banks to replicate, including speed, certainty of execution and flexible conditions, which some borrowers may continue to value in volatile markets, noted some experts.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Iran’s brutal regime retains a solid grip in Tehran, in Iraq through proxies, and in Lebanese society through Hezbollah.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No one thinks about the miles of underground pipes, and pumping stations and filtration operations between the tap and the source.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Still, Andreessen thinks AI is a smoke screen for layoffs.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Frick contains an impressive collection of paintings by old masters (Bellini, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Gainsborough, Goya, Whistler), as well as European sculpture, fine furniture, and decorative arts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In addition, there's a spine pod that contains a satellite link that allows the aircraft to upload and download reams of data.—
David Szondy
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Luis Alvarado, a Republican political analyst, says that Bianco has political motivations of his own.—
Laurie Perez,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Jacoby Windmon has valuable starter reps.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Michele Perez, who owns or part-owns two homes in Hialeah, Villa Rosa III and The Palms, said Hernandez has placed DCF clients in her facilities, which accept people with mental illness who other owners reject.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
With the acquisition cemented, Circle City Broadcasting now owns WISH-TV, a CW affiliate; WRTV, an ABC affiliate; and WINDY-TV, a MyNetworkTV affiliate.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Each room accommodates two to four people, with each person paying $70.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce coordinates the performances and accommodates hosts' preferred musical artists and friends, but asks homeowners and musicians not to coordinate performances themselves.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But Sanders grasps the politics of an NFL locker room and the mindset of NFL veterans better than anybody.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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