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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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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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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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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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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold
Lex Harvey, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Republicans will start the new Congress on Jan. 3 with a 219-215 majority, but Trump also has tapped two Republicans for administration roles, which would reduce the majority to 217 until special elections are held.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 17 Dec. 2024
Diana Pearl, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Nearby schools, hospitals respond after shooting According to the Madison Metropolitan School District, La Follette High School and Sennett Middle School are on secure hold due to the shooting.
—Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold 
Verb
Polls show if an election were held today, Pierre Poilievre’s opposition Conservative Party would earn a decisive victory.
—Lex Harvey, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Republicans will start the new Congress on Jan. 3 with a 219-215 majority, but Trump also has tapped two Republicans for administration roles, which would reduce the majority to 217 until special elections are held.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
So in 2014, the singer put her career on hold to care for Angélil, who stepped down from his longtime post as her manager that June.
14 of 20
Celine Dion Speaks About Caring for Her Husband
In August 2015, the singer resumed her residency at Caesars Palace.
—Diana Pearl, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Nearby schools, hospitals respond after shooting According to the Madison Metropolitan School District, La Follette High School and Sennett Middle School are on secure hold due to the shooting.
—Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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At dinner, find handmade tortillas that grip fried red snapper tacos; cochinita pork; skirt steak with tomatillo salsa; and juicy shrimp a la diabla.Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
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Authorities on Monday arrested a Maryland native and one-time Gilman School valedictorian in connection to Wednesday’s fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City — a killing that gripped the country and ignited debate about health care in America.Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 10 Dec. 2024
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Trading for Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen was a fine concept when the Giants tried to keep the top spinning in 2018, but the result of that gambit was a 73-89 season and a waste of future All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds.Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
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For me, the fresh blood of Micronesia keeps that season higher. 4.Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
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Luis Robert Jr is the dream, but who knows what the Sox are thinking.C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
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Apple iPhone users have received several spyware warnings over the last year, but it was previously thought that the issue was incredibly targeted and rare.Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
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At times, the Bucks struggled to contain Young (35 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists) as the Hawks point guard regularly got to the free-throw line.Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
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Hint #2: The answer contains two vowels, one of which functions as a consonant in a different word structure.Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In the meantime, while moving towards renewable energy is an overall positive, it’s had an economic cost in coal-producing regions of the United States as demand has declined.Alex Knapp, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, Kate’s surprise appearance at the Wimbledon men’s singles tennis final had the center court crowd on their feet.Kathy Rose O'Brien and Billy Stockwell, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
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Deciding who retains control or how ownership is divided can feel like an existential threat, particularly if both spouses are involved in the business.Sara Khaki, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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Months later, this season’s standout contestants have retained their cultural staying power.Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
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Aqua, set to launch in March, is 10% bigger than its predecessors in the line’s Prima Class and accommodates about 3,600 passengers at double occupancy (though still smaller than the preceding Breakaway Plus Class).Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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Reservations can be made online, and walk-ins can be accommodated.Karoline Leonard, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Dec. 2024
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Much more data is needed to fully grasp the scope of their movements and ecological importance.Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
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Everyone remains just isolated enough to stay well clear of grasping any fundamental truths about the silo.Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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