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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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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7
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
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
His divorce from ex-wife Anna Faris was not without drama, and he has been accused of belonging to a church that holds anti-LGBTQ views.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 17 Mar. 2025
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2025
After being promised a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Ford put this measure on hold, and Trump did likewise on steel and aluminium.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Despite entering the final round four shots back, McIlroy held a commanding three-shot lead on the back nine.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
His divorce from ex-wife Anna Faris was not without drama, and he has been accused of belonging to a church that holds anti-LGBTQ views.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
In a post shared on Flogging Molly’s social media pages, Regan offered new details about her husband’s recent health crisis, which forced the band to put their performance plans on hold indefinitely.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2025
After being promised a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Ford put this measure on hold, and Trump did likewise on steel and aluminium.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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The crowd - like at almost every cricket ground in the world when India plays - was partisan for the men in blue with giddy fans riding the emotion of every twist and turn of a gripping final.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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Has the league prepared her to take the next step with the Chicago Sky? Daily Horoscope for March 09, 2025 Daily Horoscope for March 09, 2025 Anti-Trump, Musk protest at Orland Park Tesla countered by MAGA demonstrators Five years ago, COVID gripped the world in fear.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In contrast, the energy transition has a long-term basis, with 2050 as the magic date of the Paris agreement to keep global temperature rise below 2 C degrees above pre-industrial times.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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In his 2024 analysis, Ezell wrote that Intel's financial struggles should not give cause to deny CHIPS funding, as Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) had once urged, but to expedite funding to keep a viable US chipmaker's business expanding in the US.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Why Skipping Is The Ultimate Plyometric Exercise Most think of skipping as something kids do.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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To make matters worse, Brooklyn’s family thinks that Brian is just using her for the trust fund that she’s inherited from her recently deceased father.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Some of the fires are continuing, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry, which identified the New State fire in Pittsburg County to have burned 200 acres and 90 percent contained.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Victim engagement: The sting is complete when, by using Microsoft’s billing emails that contain the organization name and fake support contact numbers, victims are urged to immediately contact what is purporting to be a critical support lifeline.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The sheriff's office has no jurisdiction over the case but sent detectives to the island to assist local investigators.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC News,
14 Mar. 2025
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Goodman has a nervy start, with an errant pass out of play.—
Matt Woosnam,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Art Deco influences like the curvature inside have been retained, while otherwise the house has been updated with modern, colorful touches and appliances.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
12 Mar. 2025
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Defendants retain the right to attorney-client privilege, meaning confidential communications between themselves and their attorney for the purpose of seeking legal advice, while in jail or prison.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Explain the value of taking stress breaks during the day, and offer anytime access to resources to accommodate long hours or busy travel schedules. 4.—
Michael Held,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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To accommodate the rush, airlines serving Sacramento International Airport have increased their service capacity in March by 21% compared to March 2024, Myers said.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But there’s understanding the situation, grasping the consequences, vowing to be better and then actually encountering those moments.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
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Many said that because the recent cuts at the agency have been carried out in a piecemeal fashion, the public doesn’t seem to be grasping the totality of what is happening to the program, which is having its 90th anniversary this year.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
12 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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