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
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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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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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
A day after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he's now known, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the pride Sky Roberts holds for his sister is difficult to hide.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Knight now holds the American all-time scoring record at the Olympics.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Supermicro also holds a proprietary liquid-cooling technology that lowers temperatures as the chips powering the AI transition run hotter than ever.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Georgette’s Tea Room House holds many memories for members of Miami’s Black community.
—Hank Tester, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Tyrone McKillen of Plus Real Estate holds the listing.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2026
The Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which holds the most seats in parliament, announced the referendum on Wednesday after gathering enough support through petition signatures.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Focus holds worldwide rights and Universal Pictures International will handle international distribution for the studio.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
The art of grappling consists of throws, trips, sweeps, clinches, ground fighting, submission holds and takedowns.
—Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Funds deposited into your account may be subject to holds.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Sheriff Larry Lucas said the county is limited to 20 ICE holds per month under the agreement and has hit that cap every month since the program began.
—Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 12 Feb. 2026
During the clock's terminal count, beginning at T-10 minutes, teams will be put through a series of holds and count recycles to ensure readiness under a variety of scenarios.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Domínguez set career highs in appearances, innings, holds and strikeouts last season.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
All those great ships, their holds full of human cargo, had been conjured up in an unremarkable spot in present-day Mudchute Park.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The event was livestreamed on Netflix with a 10-second delay so the public could follow closely his daring leaps and no-hands holds.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
The sexy space holds just 20 seats at the bar, and definitely pop into the antique confessional in the back for a photo opp.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
A day after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he's now known, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the pride Sky Roberts holds for his sister is difficult to hide.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Knight now holds the American all-time scoring record at the Olympics.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Supermicro also holds a proprietary liquid-cooling technology that lowers temperatures as the chips powering the AI transition run hotter than ever.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Georgette’s Tea Room House holds many memories for members of Miami’s Black community.
—Hank Tester, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Tyrone McKillen of Plus Real Estate holds the listing.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2026
The Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which holds the most seats in parliament, announced the referendum on Wednesday after gathering enough support through petition signatures.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Focus holds worldwide rights and Universal Pictures International will handle international distribution for the studio.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
After a series of holds, the match hit its climax in the 10th and 11th games of the set.
—José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
The art of grappling consists of throws, trips, sweeps, clinches, ground fighting, submission holds and takedowns.
—Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Funds deposited into your account may be subject to holds.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Sheriff Larry Lucas said the county is limited to 20 ICE holds per month under the agreement and has hit that cap every month since the program began.
—Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 12 Feb. 2026
During the clock's terminal count, beginning at T-10 minutes, teams will be put through a series of holds and count recycles to ensure readiness under a variety of scenarios.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Domínguez set career highs in appearances, innings, holds and strikeouts last season.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
All those great ships, their holds full of human cargo, had been conjured up in an unremarkable spot in present-day Mudchute Park.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The event was livestreamed on Netflix with a 10-second delay so the public could follow closely his daring leaps and no-hands holds.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 26 Jan. 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
-
If a player challenges successfully, their team retains the opportunity to do so again.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Macy’s is packed with excellent deals on a wide variety of packable styles, like the low-profile Dolce Vita Sariya Lace-up Sneakers, now almost $50 off, which feature a flexible upper that retains its shape well after being tucked into a carry-on.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This was partly out of deference to a president who thinks not of enemies but only of potential counterparties to be bargained with, bullied, swindled, or accommodated.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Mike Murphy, a Republican political consultant, thinks Pratt could get 19% to 21% of the vote, with a ceiling in the mid to high 20s.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The startup further claims its battery contains no toxic or rare-earth materials and operates over a temperature range from negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit to 212 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the collagen, the formula contains glycerin that strengthens the skin’s natural barrier and naturally draws in moisture.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Coventry said at a news conference last week that the IOC has a safeguarding unit that monitors the organization’s social media platforms for hateful messages.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In his statement, Nielsen indirectly referred to the incident, saying that Greenland has a public health care system in which treatment is free for its citizens.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Another conundrum is how to model a fair system to charge for cars registered outside of the municipality that owns and pays for the parking facility.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With the four-story, 60,000-square-foot building having city historic designation, developer Ken Breunig – who owns the building – has filed renovation plans with the Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With private suites, barbecues, and outdoor dining areas, the retreat naturally accommodates families and friend groups eager to immerse themselves in the desert’s serenity.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Designed to operate off-grid, the towable home has a snug and storage-packed interior that comfortably accommodates two people.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When a word feels too abstract, Jacobs shifts the phrasing, lowers the tempo or elongates a syllable until Siena grasps it.—
Reylee Billingsley,
AZCentral.com,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The nearly colorless imagery really grasps the soul of the moment and the chill of our wintry days.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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