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"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of holding
News Desk, Artforum, 14 May 2026
While Downtown West is in a holding pattern, that’s not the case elsewhere in San Jose.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Meanwhile, Kaufmann and her team use long, handheld takes holding close usually on Seydoux’s face to create an in-the-moment urgency when needed.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
Met director Max Hollein told the New York Times that the merger would significantly expand the Met’s holdings of German and Austrian modernist art.
—News Desk, Artforum, 14 May 2026
While Downtown West is in a holding pattern, that’s not the case elsewhere in San Jose.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Verb
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Meanwhile, Kaufmann and her team use long, handheld takes holding close usually on Seydoux’s face to create an in-the-moment urgency when needed.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the judge's ruling.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling requiring the government to process claims from people who reach a port of entry.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The fiasco left aspiring translators in Korea, most of them people of color, with one less route into the profession, further enabling white people’s social and actual capital to be kept within their possession.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Other than the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks are the only postseason team that ranks in the top three in points scored and allowed per 100 possessions.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Being middle class comes with a fear of losing a specific sense of safety; the existential quest is finding out if there’s more to life than clutching onto your stuff in anticipatory panic.—
Francesco Pacifico,
The Dial,
12 May 2026
-
Reds closer Emilio Pagán came in to start the ninth and fell to the ground clutching his left hamstring after throwing one pitch to Nico Hoerner.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Though the couple hasn't commented publicly on their relationship, and Foxx has been candid about keeping his relationships out of the spotlight in the past, Huckstepp has supported Foxx at a number of events.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
The nonprofit’s statement did not reference the permitting process, but highlighted the importance of keeping the event running for the LGBTQ+ community.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Long-term stewardship, whether that’s building a brand, investing in people or thinking about legacy, becomes harder to prioritize when the focus is on what can be measured and delivered in the next quarter.—
Rebecca Brooks,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
What are you supposed to be thinking when your team is pushing toward the goal?—
Nicole Williams,
AJC.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Boxes from the White House, some containing classified material, had been found crammed into a bathroom at Mar-a-Lago, next to a toilet and below a crystal chandelier.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
Planters containing other trees and perennials, including hazel, hawthorn, field maples, ferns, and grasses, will continue the forest theme through the colonnade to the main entrance.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
More about Richard Glossip's case Glossip is accused of having his boss, Barry Van Treese, an Oklahoma City motel owner, killed in 1997 to keep from being fired for embezzlement.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
The Giants’ defense will feel the sting of not having Dexter Lawrence in the middle anymore during this one.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Valdez Streaty says buyers in some parts of the country remain more skeptical about the practicality of owning an EV than others.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Now grown-up with disposable income, the original Swatch collector now arrives with spending power, resale fluency and a clear sense that owning the object is only half the reward.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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