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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold
Wafaa Shurafa and Majdi Mohammed, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Drawings are held three times per week at approximately 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Dec. 2024
Diana Pearl, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Nearby schools, hospitals respond after shooting According to the Madison Metropolitan School District, La Follette High School and Sennett Middle School are on secure hold due to the shooting.
—Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold 
Verb
Families of hostages and supporters have held mass demonstrations for months, and diplomats have reported progress in the indirect talks.
—Wafaa Shurafa and Majdi Mohammed, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Drawings are held three times per week at approximately 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
So in 2014, the singer put her career on hold to care for Angélil, who stepped down from his longtime post as her manager that June.
14 of 20
Celine Dion Speaks About Caring for Her Husband
In August 2015, the singer resumed her residency at Caesars Palace.
—Diana Pearl, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Nearby schools, hospitals respond after shooting According to the Madison Metropolitan School District, La Follette High School and Sennett Middle School are on secure hold due to the shooting.
—Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
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The film's gripping plot centers around florist Lily Blossom Bloom (Lively), who falls head over heels in love with a seemingly perfect neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) and reconnects with her childhood sweetheart, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar).Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
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Amanda Seyfried will star in the series which follows a beat cop working as the opioid crisis grips the streets of Philadelphia.Lucy Ford, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
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Can the Saints keep their slim playoff hopes alive, or will the Packers continue their march toward the postseason? Bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and settle in—this one's going to be fun!Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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He was later sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, part of what prosecutors called a plot to use force keep Donald Trump in the White House after the 2020 election.CBS News, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2024
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She is thought to have walked east from the Mather Point area, possibly toward the Bright Angel Lodge or Hermits Rest, the park service said.Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 22 Dec. 2024
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More Premier League coverage Introducing the most dangerous pass in football Premier League predicted line-ups: Who do our writers think will start in Gameweek 17?Oli Gamp, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
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But revenue and spending statements Clancy has completed under the penalty of perjury contain conflicting information.Jeff Mcdonald, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024
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The Chargers have had trouble containing mobile quarterbacks, though, and Maye is another in a long list that includes Bo Nix of the Broncos, Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, just to name a few recent opponents.Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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His returns bring a historical depth to the sport, as few figures have been as loved by fans quite like Dale Earnhardt Jr. has.Alex Harrington, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
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Perry also had No. 1 hits on the R&B and dance charts.Paul Grein, Billboard, 25 Dec. 2024
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South Korea’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol — weakened after the liberal opposition retained control in an April election -– astonished the country by declaring martial law in a late-night announcement on Dec. 3.Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
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For now, Champagnie seems like a safe bet to be retained.Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
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Aqua, set to launch in March, is 10% bigger than its predecessors in the line’s Prima Class and accommodates about 3,600 passengers at double occupancy (though still smaller than the preceding Breakaway Plus Class).Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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Reservations can be made online, and walk-ins can be accommodated.Karoline Leonard, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Dec. 2024
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And while the boxing is kinetically directed, Morrison grasps that the movie’s fiercest stands are taken outside the ring, when Claressa — faced with tough choices about her future — asserts herself to the people who need to hear it.Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
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With its distinctive brown body, white head and yellow beak, the bald eagle grasps an olive branch and arrows in its talons on the seal, which is used on official documents, military uniform buttons and every U.S. passport.Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
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