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
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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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holds
Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025
Alcaraz now holds a 10-5 career advantage on Sinner, including 4-2 in majors and 7-2 on hardcourts.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Smith now holds the record for the longest pass play in Buckeyes' school history.
—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
The quickly warming atmosphere holds more precipitation, which can unbuckle more often and in heavier bursts.
—Austyn Gaffney, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
Today, Bloomers holds a prominent place in the global beverage market.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Currently, Rollins holds the title of WWE World Heavyweight Champion and is a passionate Chicago Bears fan.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Her mantle also holds a staggering five Emmys, four BAFTAs, and three Golden Globes.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
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
If the dovish outlook for Fed policy holds, or the macroeconomic picture improves, then the rotation trade could continue to work for investors.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a Monday news conference that Nieneker has a history of mental health issues and had previously been placed on emergency holds, but did not offer specifics.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
If the 50% tariff holds and secondary sanctions follow, India might simply import less oil.
—Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
Alcaraz now holds a 10-5 career advantage on Sinner, including 4-2 in majors and 7-2 on hardcourts.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Smith now holds the record for the longest pass play in Buckeyes' school history.
—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
The quickly warming atmosphere holds more precipitation, which can unbuckle more often and in heavier bursts.
—Austyn Gaffney, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
Today, Bloomers holds a prominent place in the global beverage market.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Currently, Rollins holds the title of WWE World Heavyweight Champion and is a passionate Chicago Bears fan.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Her mantle also holds a staggering five Emmys, four BAFTAs, and three Golden Globes.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
If the dovish outlook for Fed policy holds, or the macroeconomic picture improves, then the rotation trade could continue to work for investors.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a Monday news conference that Nieneker has a history of mental health issues and had previously been placed on emergency holds, but did not offer specifics.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
If the 50% tariff holds and secondary sanctions follow, India might simply import less oil.
—Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds
Verb
-
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
-
That’s in part because Kamiya has tapped into the malaise that grips Japan, especially among the under-50 crowd who are fed up with the status quo.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Governance protects employee attention, retains trust and reinforces strategic communication.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
But hoping to dodge this defense, WB didn't argue that Midjourney retains copies of its images.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Porter thinks airport lounges can be part of what’s offered to travelers, and won’t go away.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The 75-year-old daughter of Sam Walton, the late Walmart founder who turned a five-and-dime store in rural Arkansas into the world’s largest company by revenue, thinks the US is very close to that breaking point.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Eggplant also contains small amounts of vitamins C, K and B6.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
This article contains spoilers for Splitsville.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While Cruz is still working to get Democratic sponsors for his bill, the issue has support from across the aisle.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Gary Housing Authority, which owns the schools, and the city of Gary are completing state and federal approvals for the demolition of Emerson and Horace Mann, and two adjacent vacant elementaries, Spaulding and Vohr.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Musk currently owns 410 million shares of Tesla shares, worth $139 billion at Thursday’s closing price.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Inside, the 19-room layout accommodates both private retreat and large-scale entertaining.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Boston Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The shoes have a wide toe box with plenty of room for feet to spread out, which helps prevent painful pinching and accommodates foot issues.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
3 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 12 Sep. 2025.
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