as in grip
the act or manner of holding
she tried to maintain her tight handhold on the umbrella as the wind picked up
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handhold
Making his way blindly back around the jagged metal shard, moving along the side of the Gemini—finding the handholds and Velcro and the ship’s aft cable without the benefit of vision, all the while battling to keep his heart rate under control—was no small thing.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
That would cut off access to the narrow gaps between train cars where subway surfers use handholds to hoist themselves onto the roof.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Instead of using natural handholds in the rock, via ferrata climbers move almost exclusively using artificial hardware drilled into the rock face, such as chains, cables, bridges, and ladders, and are attached to these fixtures via a tether and harness at all times.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 29 Sep. 2025
The entire playground has a spongy surface; there is specialized seating and handholds.
—Yadira Sanchez Olson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handhold
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025
That would cut off access to the narrow gaps between train cars where subway surfers use handholds to hoist themselves onto the roof.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Instead of using natural handholds in the rock, via ferrata climbers move almost exclusively using artificial hardware drilled into the rock face, such as chains, cables, bridges, and ladders, and are attached to these fixtures via a tether and harness at all times.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 29 Sep. 2025
The entire playground has a spongy surface; there is specialized seating and handholds.
—Yadira Sanchez Olson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handhold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handhold
Noun
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As paranoia festers and absurd regulations tighten their grip, suspicion replaces love, and truth itself begins to warp.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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Either way, regulars are probably coming to grips with a glass-half-empty feeling.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The premium denim brand said Eram’s natural grasp of silhouette, construction, and overall attitude fits perfectly with Icon Denim’s vision of pushing denim beyond its traditional boundaries.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
24 Apr. 2026
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To wriggle out of Joseph’s grasp, Michael hires a brash young lawyer, John Branca, played by Miles Teller, who lends the coolly confident character a delightfully rough edge.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handhold. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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