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
The Editors Of Artnews, Robb Report, 7 May 2026
Today, the land holdings overseen by his family business, Turner Enterprises, stretch across several states, from South Dakota to New Mexico.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Matthew Kelly
may 1, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
The way Kuraly remembered it, Peeke was holding his stick and not letting go.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Noun
Traditional borrowing can be cumbersome, but some institutions will lend to collectors solely on the value of their art holdings.
—The Editors Of Artnews, Robb Report, 7 May 2026
Today, the land holdings overseen by his family business, Turner Enterprises, stretch across several states, from South Dakota to New Mexico.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
Verb
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions.
—Matthew Kelly
may 1, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
The way Kuraly remembered it, Peeke was holding his stick and not letting go.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding
Noun
-
The court is considering an appeal of a lower-court judge’s ruling that the amendment is invalid because lawmakers violated procedural requirements.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
That ruling comes after a federal appeals court sided with Kalshi over New Jersey last month, boosting the fledgling industry’s hopes that the Supreme Court takes up the issue — and discourages Congress from passing any bill that might protect states’ lane.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
In college, possession is awarded to one team or the other based on an alternating possession arrow, but at the pro level the players involved in the call actually have to play out the jump to resume the game.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
The governor faces federal charges, including narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, along with another conspiracy count.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
There has been a lot of pearl-clutching concern among both liberals and conservatives about New York City’s future — and the nation’s — with socialist Mayor Mamdani.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, security expert Jeff Ketelaars recommends keeping a personal alarm on hand (available at stores that sell self-defense items).—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
-
Newman suggests keeping a bladder diary for one to three days.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
As the Moon moves into Capricorn and your 5th House of Creativity, your focus shifts toward making something real instead of just thinking about it.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
-
Hoagland told me to stop thinking.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
But the most common proxies, including tree rings, pollen and ice cores containing pockets of ancient air, have already been well studied.—
Hannah Richter,
Scientific American,
7 May 2026
-
Suitcases are discovered, containing plot devices.—
Robert Lloyd,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Turner lore suggested the college student was expelled from the Ivy League school for having a female student in his dormitory room.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Jaxon’s father, Albert Juarez, acknowledged having serious health problems himself and a list of prescription painkillers.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The ship is associated with Mordashov, a Russian billionaire and owner of steel magnate Severstal, with shipping records showing Mordashov’s wife Marina Mordashova, owning the vessel for a brief window in 2022.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Stars are expected to follow the same game plan executed by the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers; move into a new venue, and create new revenue by owning the surrounding properties, too.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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