Synonyms of held on to

held on to

phrase

past tense of hold on to

1

as in had

to keep in one's mind or heart

She still holds on to that feeling.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• had
• held
• retained
• cherished
• entertained
• cultivated
• bore
• hung on to
• maintained
• remembered
• harbored
• kept
• carried
• sustained
• stuck (to)
• fostered
• preserved
• hugged
• clung (to)
• supported
• nursed
• nurtured
• treasured
• cleaved (to)
• obsessed (about or over)
• brooded (about or over)
• fixated (on or upon)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignored
• dropped
• disregarded
• neglected
• denied
• forgot
• rejected
• refused
• overlooked
• declined
• abandoned
• discarded
• repudiated
• gave up
• quit
• deserted
• renounced
• parted (with)
• scorned
• threw out
• abjured
• erased
• disdained
• quitted
• forsook
• expunged

2

as in clenched

to have or keep in one's hands

I can hold on to your grocery bags while you open the door.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clenched
• gripped
• clutched
• held
• grabbed
• carried
• clung (to)
• hung on to
• took
• cradled
• snapped (up)
• captured
• trapped
• snatched
• seized
• handled
• felt
• bore
• hooked
• caught
• hugged
• grasped
• landed
• nailed
• embraced
• latched (on or onto)
• grappled
• clasped
• bagged
• nabbed
• fingered
• corralled
• collared
• pawed
• snared

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gave
• dropped
• handed
• turned over
• rendered
• released
• delivered
• handed over
• gave up
• yielded
• unhanded
• relinquished
• ceded
• unclasped
• handed out

3

as in retained

to continue to have in one's possession or power

He's trying to hold on to his position as chairman.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retained
• kept
• held
• possessed
• preserved
• withheld
• saved
• had
• reserved
• hung on to
• protected
• guarded
• owned
• enjoyed
• boasted
• ruled
• managed
• conserved
• controlled
• clung (to)
• detained
• bore
• directed
• hugged
• cherished
• commanded
• treasured
• harbored

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• released
• yielded
• gave up
• surrendered
• dropped
• abandoned
• contributed
• gave
• handed over
• donated
• relinquished
• discarded
• rejected
• dumped
• ceded
• declined
• handed out
• lost
• repudiated
• spurned