take hold

phrase

Definition of take holdnext
as in work
to produce a desired effect It was clear in the students' essays that her lessons had taken hold.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 take hold Determining conclusively whether life actually took hold will require bringing such rocks back to laboratories on Earth. Ashwin R. Vasavada, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Luis and Mónica encouraged their daughters to play instruments, signing them up for piano lessons, which was going swimmingly until the holy grip of Rock Band fully took hold. Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026 Perhaps Parton’s most countercultural act was her decision to work and not have children at a time when Reagan’s push for traditional family values took hold of the country. Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 Benefits of Leaving the Shower Curtain Open Leaving your shower curtain open can help prevent moisture from getting trapped, which would encourage mold and mildew to take hold, says Mock. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take hold
take effect
Phrase
  • Legal challenges could delay or block the proposal from taking effect.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • On Thursday, the Administration returned to the Supreme Court, seeking an emergency order allowing the rule to take effect.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Take hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take%20hold. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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