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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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hold
Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
This past month, Vrabel and the former The Athletic reporter were seen holding hands and hugging at the luxury resort in Arizona.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold Wednesday, although traders are leaning toward a cut by year-end.
—Michael MacKenzie, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
Any cast of co-stars would be deemed successful merely for holding its own, and this one does so much more than that.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
This past month, Vrabel and the former The Athletic reporter were seen holding hands and hugging at the luxury resort in Arizona.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Stubblefield has been subsequently released from prison custody, and the Supreme Court review is on hold pending the outcome of two death penalty appeals from Los Angeles County that could set precedent for what relief defendants are entitled to under the relatively new law.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold Wednesday, although traders are leaning toward a cut by year-end.
—Michael MacKenzie, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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Jerry told me then that his hands could no longer grip the canoe.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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The life of a music director at a major opera company is inevitably one engaged in tragedy, and Conlon exhibits the dramatic flair to grip its emotional immensity.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The breaks kept coming for Orlando.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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His office was spare and no nonsense, with a poster from OSHA about the importance of keeping farmworkers hydrated.—
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And clearly, the Broncos did not think enough of the tight ends to be aggressive.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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Those three weeks were bliss — not thinking about Spurs, not thinking about football, just getting on with life.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Still, even as the memes become borderline unintelligible, Kirkslop contains an air of transgression that imbues the otherwise inane edits and images with perverse political undercurrents.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
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The group contains multiple doctors and lawyers.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Earnings from India’s bellwether software services exporters have reinforced investor concerns about the sector’s growth prospects, signaling that the downturn in their stocks has further to run.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
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That outing followed a strong Game 3 showing, too, as Dosunmu had 25 points (10-for-15 shooting) and nine assists in that 113-96 win.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Among them were several members of the Seidler family, most of whom are retaining at least a portion of their ownership stakes.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Equally concerning is that requiring twice as many workers per case without a plan to recruit or retain them risks widespread gaps in care.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The building will have a gym, a gross motor room with play equipment for the youngest students, a two-story library with reading nooks, a learning hub able to accommodate two classes at a time, and an outdoor area with patio furniture.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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This setup is ultra-welcoming and can accommodate a large crew—bring on the s'mores and bonfires this summer.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Instead, use your thumb and forefinger to grasp the berry at the stem and give it a gentle tug.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
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The front pair of legs is raptorial, meaning they are used for catching and grasping prey.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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