1
as in clutched
to have or keep in one's hands
this casserole dish is too hot to hold, so grab a potholder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retained
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in believed
to have as an opinion
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"
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4
5
as in had
to keep in one's mind or heart
still held her close to his heart, though they had long parted
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in owned
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
8
as in grasped
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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9
10
as in controlled
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 aimed
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
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Recent Examples of held
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.
—
Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025
Mack held 35 actress and five producer credits during her career, according to the statement posted to CaringBridge.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
That’s different from another type of equity offering held by the NFL.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
One of the duties Lelakes has held at the YMCA is overseeing facilities across the county of San Diego for maintenance and capital improvement projects.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The docuseries will be available to stream beginning Thursday on Prime Video, but an early screening of the second episode was held Monday for a collection of friends, family, business associates and media.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
During 9/11, people walked down the stairs in single file and held the door open for each other.
—Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Ensign said the Department of Homeland Security is complying with the law during deportations, and people could file challenges individually in Texas, where they were held before being sent to El Salvador.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025
Mack held 35 actress and five producer credits during her career, according to the statement posted to CaringBridge.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
That’s different from another type of equity offering held by the NFL.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2025
One of the duties Lelakes has held at the YMCA is overseeing facilities across the county of San Diego for maintenance and capital improvement projects.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The docuseries will be available to stream beginning Thursday on Prime Video, but an early screening of the second episode was held Monday for a collection of friends, family, business associates and media.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
During 9/11, people walked down the stairs in single file and held the door open for each other.
—Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Ensign said the Department of Homeland Security is complying with the law during deportations, and people could file challenges individually in Texas, where they were held before being sent to El Salvador.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held
Verb
-
Roach clutched a black Mini Kelly (of course Hermès gave him the best color) and his long black hair never looked a strand out of place.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
5 May 2026
-
Parents clutched their children closer.—
Amy Driscoll,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
First Residence retained a slightly quieter, more residential feel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Under current North Carolina law, Charlotte is required to send 90% of citation revenue to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, with the remaining 10% retained by the city for administrative costs.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Arakawa is believed to have contracted the virus from the rodent droppings found around her and Hackman's home, while some of the infected cruise ship passengers are suspected to have gotten sick from each other.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
In Burkina Faso alone, JNIM is believed to effectively control roughly 40% of the country’s territory.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to possessing the destructive device, which contained flammable ethanol and a wick designed to ignite when lighted.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
When Federal Reserve officials convened on March 17-18, just a few weeks after the war broke out, Chair Jerome Powell said any effects on inflation would likely be temporary and could be contained within the energy industry, keeping the door open for at least one rate cut this year.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
After an initial miss, Jefferson had four makes in a row, needing one save to clinch the win.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
-
Nurse, who has had to deal with multiple challenges during his time with the Sixers, will remain a constant, at least for the near future.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Deborah Weymouth was the CEO of ECHN, the entity that owned Manchester and Rockville hospital, for more than six years, from September 2019 to January 2026.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Prosecutors allege Price failed to disclose payments received by a company owned by his wife from developers and public agencies with matters pending before the City Council, and failed to recuse himself from votes involving those projects.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
And that’s why there was a minor case of hysteria when Hillsborough County officials recently suggested the team’s June 1 deadline of finalizing the agreement would not likely be accommodated.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The representative did not share any details as to whether or not passengers were accommodated with other travel arrangements.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maybe soccer has a world of fans who haven’t quite grasped this new-money concept.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
His survival so far depended on the passion of people who may not have grasped how grave his situation was.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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