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
David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
On Thursday, the Bank of England held its key interest rate steady at 4% in a move that had been widely anticipated by economists.
—Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
Rachel Barber, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Gurich grabbed a hold of Thimmhardy’s left wrist with his left hand and twisted her wrist behind her back before grabbing the woman’s shirt with his right hand and continued pushing her with her wrist in a control hold, according to the complaint.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Verb
The two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting at Chequers, the prime minister's estate in Buckinghamshire north of London.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
On Thursday, the Bank of England held its key interest rate steady at 4% in a move that had been widely anticipated by economists.
—Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
While economic uncertainty has plagued boardrooms this year, some businesses are not putting plans on hold.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Gurich grabbed a hold of Thimmhardy’s left wrist with his left hand and twisted her wrist behind her back before grabbing the woman’s shirt with his right hand and continued pushing her with her wrist in a control hold, according to the complaint.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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The latest such exchange – from a reader in Australia, too far for a pint – related to the looming fiscal catastrophe that uniquely grips most of the major G7 economies and China.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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But some areas of the nation are still gripped by unseasonable heat and drought.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
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Situated right at the rim, Adventures on the Gorge has a good variety of accommodations as well as outdoor activities to keep the kids entertained, including aerial adventures, rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, standup paddleboarding, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking.—
Dave Parfitt,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
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If star forward Kirill Kaprizov is to sign a contract extension that will keep him in Minnesota after July of next year, neither his agent Paul Theofanous nor Wild general manager Bill Guerin are admitting to having anything cooking right now.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The recent history of the building reflects a shift in how some leaders think about the homelessness crisis.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Sep. 2025
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Domínguez then thought for a moment, staring off before correcting himself.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Boasting striking geological features and containing one of the world’s richest fossil beds, Badlands National Park in South Dakota draws visitors from across the globe to witness its rugged beauty.—
Dave Parfitt,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
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The country club contains a golf course, a wedding venue and a restaurant.—
Jessica Gorman,
ABC News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The sensor handles up to 70Gs of acceleration and has a sensitivity of up to 30,000 dots per inch (DPI).—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
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The remaining 10 analysts have a hold equivalent rating.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As others faltered, a 3-0 win against Bristol Academy meant Liverpool retained the title, beating Chelsea on goal difference.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced after Sunday's comeback win that Flacco will retain his position as the starter, despite the presence of rookie signal-callers Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders on the roster.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Valeria was able to do any translating, and with help from furniture donated by neighbors the Haskells converted their three-bedroom house into a five-bedroom house to accommodate the Zarutskas along with themselves, Valeria’s adult daughter, and three dogs.—
Danielle Battaglia,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Sep. 2025
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The staircase is too narrow to accommodate two-way traffic; people were bumping into one another.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What’s harder to grasp is how Violette_FR Lip Nectar is, in fact, a stain.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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This approach can empower oncologists to instantly grasp a patient's complete treatment journey, fundamentally reimagining how cancer care teams navigate complex patient histories.—
Dr. Taha Kass-Hout,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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