1
as in ruling
a decision made by a court or tribunal regarding a case it has heard
the court's holding was based on an interpretation of the First Amendment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in possession
usually holdings plural
transportable items that one owns
the museum's holdings of ancient manuscripts are among the rarest in the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in clutching
to have or keep in one's hands
this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in keeping
to continue to have in one's possession or power
she, and she alone, held the keys to the mysterious chest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in thinking
to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in containing
to have within
the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in having
to keep in one's mind or heart
still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in owning
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in accommodating
to make or have room for
the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in grasping
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in considering
to think of in a particular way
held to be the best blueberry pies in the state
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10
as in controlling
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in aiming
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
held the camera on the actor throughout the scene
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of holding
Clare Conley, Outdoor Life, 18 Sep. 2025
Aidan Hutchinson leveled quarterback Jordan Love into him on safety Brian Branch’s pick-six that didn’t count because of defensive holding.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 21 Sep. 2025
Stores can offer a wide variety of products without holding inventory.
—Kurt Knutsson
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links., FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
His original partner sold his business and bought stock, a friend put in $20,000, and Bear’s holdings, the majority, were the remainder making the total about $100,000.
—Clare Conley, Outdoor Life, 18 Sep. 2025
Aidan Hutchinson leveled quarterback Jordan Love into him on safety Brian Branch’s pick-six that didn’t count because of defensive holding.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Private contractors including the GEO Group, where Homan was previously employed, and CoreCivic have been contracted to manage and operate ICE detention centers, while additional outsourcing has been undertaken to speed up the development of new holding facilities in Florida and other states.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 21 Sep. 2025
Stores can offer a wide variety of products without holding inventory.
—Kurt Knutsson
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links., FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
The federal appeals court in San Francisco refused to put on hold Chen's ruling while the case continues.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
That ruling put Citgo squarely in the crosshairs.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Games are often decided by a final possession, series of penalties, or matchup factor.—
Mark LaSota,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Paige has been charged with larceny over $1,200, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, breaking into a depository and possession of a burglarious instrument.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite getting the and-one call, Stewart fell to the court, clutching at her knee.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Investing In Lifetime Relevance The winners in tomorrow’s economy won’t be those clutching diplomas from 20 years ago.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Richards was especially impressive against West Ham, keeping Crysencio Summerville at bay, shepherding him into less dangerous areas and providing cover for goalkeeper Dean Henderson.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Also, keeping your dogs and cats active is a great brain activity and keeps them healthy both mentally and physically.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This comprehensive approach transforms AI from a mere tool into a thinking companion for life’s biggest questions.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
There are a lot of rooms inside that sit empty, and the team is thinking of how to expand the narrative with additional movies and setpieces.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The cocoa arm of the trial tested a daily extract supplement containing 500 mg of cocoa flavanols, and within that mix, about 80 mg came from a single compound called epicatechin – thought to be one of the most important flavanols for heart and blood vessel health.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Sep. 2025
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Information about the two companies' partnership emerged after CCTV showed a billboard containing the details as part of a report on the telecoms giant's new Sanjiangyuan data center in Qinghai province.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
She was called up to the main roster after having title reigns with the NXT Women's Championship and the North American Women's Championship.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Would Americans have been better served by having more ready access to the evidence of what political violence looks like?—
Time,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Biglari, who had purchased a 7% stake in the chain in 2007, became the company’s third-largest shareholder, owning more shares than all of Steak ‘n Shake’s then executive officers and directors combined.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Often, new owners only look at the business and financial aspects of owning a franchise.—
Seth Lederman,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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