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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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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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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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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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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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
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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
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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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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
Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Zhmo Canvas Tote Bag Finding a work bag that checks every box—fits your laptop, holds your lunch and water bottle, keeps things organized, and still looks stylish—is no small feat.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions boarded offshore rights on the A24 original out of the 2024 European Film Market in Berlin, and staggered overseas release from June through September this summer, cranking out strong numbers and holds along the way.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025
She's based in Fortune's London office and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of York.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Bespoke, Not Off-the-Shelf Unlike their global peers, Swiss family offices often avoid mass-market technology products and the same holds for AI solutions.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Google could keep its business at the other side of the programmatic industry, publisher ad servers that alert advertisers of space available on sites–where Google holds about 90% of that market.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025
No one knows what the future holds, but James and the Lakers will have some decisions to make following the 2025-26 NBA season.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
But Solnhofen only holds youngsters, and the fossils are in pristine condition.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 13 Sep. 2025
The bowls have wavy, scalloped edges that give it an artisanal look as well as holds and cutouts for draining any lingering water.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Adam’s 29 holds remain tied for second in the majors.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
No holds barred Another highlight will be China showcasing its latest jet aircraft, especially its stealth-capable variants.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Sometimes these are dropped off by individuals hired by marketers and won’t be blocked by mail holds.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
If Harbaugh’s ground game travels and the secondary holds form, Los Angeles profiles as a weekly test for contenders and a late-season factor in the AFC West.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
These are designed to control functions in a compatible Garmin chartplotter (sold separately), selecting options like preprogrammed waypoints and heading holds.
—New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025
Among strong individual holds were Chile (+2%), Sweden (-6%), Germany (-11%), Holland (-17%), Saudi Arabia (-22%), Philippines (-23%), Brazil (-25%), France (-28%), Italy (-29%), Mexico (-29%), Argentina (-30%) and Australia (-31%).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
Unrivaled, the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, holds less than 900 fans at the league’s Wayfair Arena home near Miami.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Zhmo Canvas Tote Bag Finding a work bag that checks every box—fits your laptop, holds your lunch and water bottle, keeps things organized, and still looks stylish—is no small feat.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions boarded offshore rights on the A24 original out of the 2024 European Film Market in Berlin, and staggered overseas release from June through September this summer, cranking out strong numbers and holds along the way.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025
She's based in Fortune's London office and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of York.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
Bespoke, Not Off-the-Shelf Unlike their global peers, Swiss family offices often avoid mass-market technology products and the same holds for AI solutions.
—Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Google could keep its business at the other side of the programmatic industry, publisher ad servers that alert advertisers of space available on sites–where Google holds about 90% of that market.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025
No one knows what the future holds, but James and the Lakers will have some decisions to make following the 2025-26 NBA season.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
But Solnhofen only holds youngsters, and the fossils are in pristine condition.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Anime tends to be front-loaded at the box office, as eager fans flock to the earliest screenings possible, so how the rest of the weekend shakes out depends on Saturday holds.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 13 Sep. 2025
The bowls have wavy, scalloped edges that give it an artisanal look as well as holds and cutouts for draining any lingering water.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Adam’s 29 holds remain tied for second in the majors.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
No holds barred Another highlight will be China showcasing its latest jet aircraft, especially its stealth-capable variants.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Sometimes these are dropped off by individuals hired by marketers and won’t be blocked by mail holds.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
If Harbaugh’s ground game travels and the secondary holds form, Los Angeles profiles as a weekly test for contenders and a late-season factor in the AFC West.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
These are designed to control functions in a compatible Garmin chartplotter (sold separately), selecting options like preprogrammed waypoints and heading holds.
—New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025
Among strong individual holds were Chile (+2%), Sweden (-6%), Germany (-11%), Holland (-17%), Saudi Arabia (-22%), Philippines (-23%), Brazil (-25%), France (-28%), Italy (-29%), Mexico (-29%), Argentina (-30%) and Australia (-31%).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds
Verb
-
Tom Hammock, along with key cast and crew, delves into the intricacies of designing the terror that grips this unsuspecting community.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The film grips the attention from the opening frames – grainy archive footage of a man wearing a gas mask who drives a pickup truck down a road bordered by white cylindrical storage containers.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The soft details include a tagless design and chafe-free stitching, and the crew neck retains its shape well.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The result is a retro profile that still retains a contemporary appeal.—
Katia Damborsky,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hale thinks the housing market overall is a bit healthier than the low level of sales might indicate, however.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Mads Claus Rasmussen | Afp | Getty Images Skovronsky thinks that pills could eventually become the primary way that obesity is treated around the world, and that oral drugs could have a larger market share than injectables.—
Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The First 70 Years contains impeccable research and analysis, accompanied by fascinating photos of the sets, film crews, and casts.—
Michael Taube,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The system contains unverified reports of side effects, including from patients, doctors and pharmacists.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The aforementioned head also has lights, with batteries included, and a tiny switch behind the neck.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The newspaper reported at the time that Zinn has a criminal record dating back to 1989 that includes dozens of convictions for petty crimes such as criminal trespass, theft of services, interfering with a police officer and disturbing the peace.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This landed Ellison, who owns more than 40% of shares, at the top of the Forbes Billionaires List, second only to his good friend, Elon Musk.—
Martine Paris,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
In any case, The Wren, which Mester co-owns with Rosemary Liss, is most glorious when taken as prescribed.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The deposition will further be conducted at a date and time that is convenient for Williams and that accommodates her medical condition, including sufficient breaks and spanning no more than three days.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
-
On top of that, a gallery rail system easily accommodates different frame sizes, shapes, weights, and thicknesses, which allows for ultra-layered, completely unique arrangements.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2025.
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