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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strongholds
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the ruins of an ancient Roman hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025
Dave Schultz holds the single-season record with 472 for the 1974-75 Broad Street Bullies, while Tiger Williams has the career mark at 3,971.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Everything about this washer dryer is convenient, including the intelligent dispenser that holds enough detergent and softener for up to 32 loads.
—Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The MoMa Black Arts Council was formed in 1993, and holds several events throughout the year, including art talks and film screenings.
—Keyaira Boone, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
On most days, Hijri holds court from a stone house in the village of Qanawat.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
Hilliard, who holds a Master of Library Science degree, incorporates her persisting loves of small towns, big cities, fashion and mysteries into her books.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Kapil holds a dual bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Communication Engineering and a master’s diploma in journalism from the Institute of Journalism and New Media in Bangalore.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2025
The upper level holds a bonus room, loft and three more bedrooms while the lower level comprises a large recreation room, home movie theater, a wine cellar and guest suite.
—David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
In contrast, a co-op owner holds shares in the corporation that owns the building, along with a proprietary lease granting them the sole right to occupy a specific unit.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025
Dave Schultz holds the single-season record with 472 for the 1974-75 Broad Street Bullies, while Tiger Williams has the career mark at 3,971.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Everything about this washer dryer is convenient, including the intelligent dispenser that holds enough detergent and softener for up to 32 loads.
—Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The MoMa Black Arts Council was formed in 1993, and holds several events throughout the year, including art talks and film screenings.
—Keyaira Boone, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
On most days, Hijri holds court from a stone house in the village of Qanawat.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
Hilliard, who holds a Master of Library Science degree, incorporates her persisting loves of small towns, big cities, fashion and mysteries into her books.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Kapil holds a dual bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Communication Engineering and a master’s diploma in journalism from the Institute of Journalism and New Media in Bangalore.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2025
The upper level holds a bonus room, loft and three more bedrooms while the lower level comprises a large recreation room, home movie theater, a wine cellar and guest suite.
—David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 4 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds
Verb
-
He will not be traded, in my mind, unless Anaheim retains half of his remaining salary.—
Pierre LeBrun,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
-
In addition, artificial turf retains heat, often reaching temperatures of 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit on warm, sunny days.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The guess here is that this will all unravel much faster than anyone currently thinks, leaving the country, and its new government, adrift and voters counting the days to the midterm elections.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Today, Israel is probably less worried than ever about what Russia thinks of its frequent incursions into Syrian airspace.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But the problem, experts say, is that sewage today contains a host of chemicals, including PFAS, generated by businesses, factories and homes.—
Hiroko Tabuchi,
New York Times,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Products, like Latisse—which contains an ingredient called Prostaglandin—were specially formulated to help lashes grow long.—
Lorena Meouchi,
Vogue,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The cabin accommodates up to six operators seated on shock-absorbing seats and two crew members at the forward control console.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2025
-
With rates starting at $40,000 per night and a two-night minimum stay, the resort accommodates up to 22 guests across three bungalows.—
Kaila Yu,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In each of these use cases, AI that sorts through appropriate, clean datasets—and grasps the full context of the worker’s role, functions and intentions—is the differentiator in deriving quantifiable value.—
Dan Adika,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Del Mazo grasps the importance of rhythm for the page turn, and her pacing is spot-on.—
Barney Saltzberg,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Scott, who considers Stiller both his boss and a friend, justified the show’s painstaking development process as necessary for quality control.—
Rachel Syme,
The New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The Philippines considers karaoke a national pastime, and the people around you are constantly crooning into their Magic Sing microphones or portable karaoke machines.—
Acacia Gabriel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Like other Gazans, many Christians in the enclave say their lives have long been overshadowed by a cycle of wars with Israel and an Israeli-Egyptian blockade that tightly regulates travel and commerce.—
Aaron Boxerman,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The Federal Aviation Administration regulates drones and light shows and permitted the Holiday Drone Show at Lake Eola on Saturday.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Hezbollah’s role as chief deterrent to Israel for Iran, however, now seems to feature little in Israeli calculations, after continued pummeling of Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.—
Scott Peterson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
11 Dec. 2024
-
The fall of Homs gave insurgents control over Syria's strategic heartland and key highway crossroads, severing Damascus from Assad's coastal strongholds of Latakia and Tartus, home to Russian military bases.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
8 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Holds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share