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

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

Five of nine analysts rate it a buy or strong, with four holds and no sells. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 30 Oct. 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

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

While Carlson has long been unaffiliated with the outlet, Patel retains business connections with Carlson, while Carlson’s brother Buckley Carlson has served on the Daily Caller nonprofit’s board.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Georgia recruits elite high school players, develops them, retains them and replaces them with more elite high school players.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of retains

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

The highest room category at the hotel is a 1,109-square-feet spa suite that has its own private whirlpool and treatment room, with a 25-minute massage included in the room rate.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
Those who checked Truth Social after CNN projected that the Democratic party would capture the House of Representatives were also set up for disappointment, as the president has yet to comment on those results as well.

— Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of has

Verb

Banks and brokers still need to reconcile ownership records, accounts, collateral and corporate actions across different systems, while issuers still need to know who owns their securities and who is entitled to vote or receive distributions.

— Isabella Gao, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
Every department is working inside its own process, but no one owns the end-to-end commitment.

— Rohan Joshi, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of owns

Verb

And the furnishings lean eclectic—midcentury, vintage, art-forward—with a living-meets-dining-room layout that accommodates group gatherings and lounging.

— Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026
The centerpiece accommodates taper candles of your choice, and looks right at home among natural textiles and warm lighting.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2026