Synonyms of hangs on to

hangs on to

phrase

present tense third-person singular of hang on to

1

as in keeps

to continue to have in one's possession or power

You can hang on to that necklace if you like.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• keeps
• retains
• holds
• holds on to
• has
• reserves
• possesses
• saves
• preserves
• protects
• withholds
• enjoys
• guards
• owns
• boasts
• conserves
• rules
• controls
• manages
• treasures
• clings (to)
• harbors
• commands
• directs
• hugs
• detains
• bears
• cherishes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hands over
• yields
• releases
• gives up
• drops
• gives
• contributes
• surrenders
• abandons
• relinquishes
• dumps
• hands out
• declines
• rejects
• loses
• discards
• donates
• cedes
• repudiates
• spurns

2

as in has

to keep in one's mind or heart

She hangs on to memories of her traveling days.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• has
• holds
• holds on to
• retains
• harbors
• entertains
• cherishes
• nurses
• keeps
• bears
• cultivates
• maintains
• carries
• remembers
• sticks (to)
• treasures
• clings (to)
• sustains
• hugs
• fosters
• preserves
• supports
• cleaves (to)
• nurtures
• broods (about or over)
• fixates (on or upon)
• obsesses (about or over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drops
• ignores
• disregards
• neglects
• forgets
• refuses
• overlooks
• denies
• declines
• rejects
• parts (with)
• throws out
• repudiates
• scorns
• disdains
• gives up
• deserts
• discards
• abandons
• renounces
• quits
• forsakes
• abjures
• erases
• expunges

3

as in grips

to have or keep in one's hands

Can you hang on to my purse while I use the bathroom?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grips
• clutches
• clenches
• holds
• holds on to
• grabs
• clings (to)
• carries
• takes
• cradles
• snaps (up)
• bags
• traps
• fingers
• feels
• snatches
• captures
• hugs
• lands
• nails
• hooks
• handles
• latches (on or onto)
• seizes
• collars
• paws
• grasps
• snares
• corrals
• catches
• clasps
• grapples
• bears
• embraces
• nabs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hands
• gives
• drops
• turns over
• hands over
• yields
• hands out
• renders
• releases
• unhands
• gives up
• unclasps
• delivers
• relinquishes
• cedes

4

as in holds

to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms

Hang on to this rope for support.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• holds
• takes
• grasps
• grips
• lays hold of
• clasps
• holds on (to)
• clings (to)
• clenches
• clutches
• catches
• snatches
• seizes
• nabs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• releases
• drops
• discharges
• liberates
• frees
• hands
• gives
• turns over
• hands over
• transfers
• passes
• delivers
• transmits
• relinquishes
• intrusts
• entrusts
• unhands