Synonyms of hold
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as in to grip 
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as in to keep
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as in to think
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as in to contain
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as in to have
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as in to retain
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as in to accommodate
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as in to grasp
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as in to consider
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as in to regulate
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as in to aim
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as in grip
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as in stronghold
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as in sway
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as in contact
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as in jail
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as in understanding
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as in imprisonment
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1
as in to grip
to have or keep in one's hands
this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder
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2
as in to keep
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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3
as in to think
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 to have
to keep in one's mind or heart
still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted
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6
as in to retain
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 to grasp
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 to regulate
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 to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
held the camera on the actor throughout the scene
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1
as in grip
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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2
as in stronghold
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the ruins of an ancient Roman hold
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3
as in sway
the right or means to command or control others
the government has no hold over where we live and work
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4
as in contact
the state or fact of being able to exchange information regarding one's current situation
I worry that I won't be able to get hold of you in an emergency
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5
as in jail
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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6
as in understanding
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 imprisonment
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
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Recent Examples of hold
Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
The show will be held Wednesday (July 16) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Nwigwe, joined by David Michael Wyatt, is set to perform the In Memoriam tribute.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 14 July 2025
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
In a 6-3 decision, the court said the holds must be narrowed to allow no more relief than necessary.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
For years, top Trumpworld figures, some of whom currently hold top administration posts, and even the president himself, speculated about Epstein’s death and his alleged blackmail operation.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
The show will be held Wednesday (July 16) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Nwigwe, joined by David Michael Wyatt, is set to perform the In Memoriam tribute.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 14 July 2025
Noun
Those contract negotiations are currently on hold due to the gambling probe, sources told ESPN.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
In a 6-3 decision, the court said the holds must be narrowed to allow no more relief than necessary.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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The case gripped Australia The bizarre and tragic case has lingered in the minds of Australians and has provoked fervor among the public and media.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
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When your hands are covered in flour, holding a paintbrush, or gripping a climbing wall, your phone is simply unavailable.—
Marina Cooley,
CNBC,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Discover easy meal prep strategies, nutritious grab-and-go options, and time-saving hacks to keep you fueled and focused throughout the day.—
Essence,
Essence,
10 July 2025
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But there are still lingering worries about how long Amazon and Apple will keep movies in theaters before sending them to streaming.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Founding member of the pop rock band OneRepublic and political outsider Tim Myers thinks so.—
William Melhado
July 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 July 2025
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Huge upset as Las Vegas, who many thought would go undefeated this weekend, lose their opener 3-1.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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When a reporter asked Attorney General Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation on Tuesday, President Donald Trump could not contain himself a moment longer.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
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But complexity theorists suspect that PSPACE is a much larger class, containing many problems that aren’t in P.—
Ben Brubaker,
Wired News,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Vientos was in the lineup Friday hitting fifth against right-hander Michael Wacha, who has neutral splits against righties and lefties.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
12 July 2025
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Before the death at the house, Snow Angels had nearly no citations or issues with the state Department of Social Services, according to the business’ licensing file reviewed by the Union-Tribune.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Cops don't have to disclose when AI is used in every department, and Draft One does not save drafts or retain a record showing which parts of reports are AI-generated.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 July 2025
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These things can be weathered so long as Americans retain our reverence for freedom of speech.—
Bruce Yandle,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
Verb
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There is no requirement under HB 46, or any prior Texas law, for employers to accommodate the use of medical marijuana.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Guests with food allergies or dietary concerns are accommodated, too.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2025
Verb
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To harvest, grasp a cherry with your fingers and pull it free from the tree with a gentle, twisting motion.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 July 2025
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But the fundamental notion to be grasped is one of purpose.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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