1
as in grips
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 retains
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 thinks
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
5
as in has
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 owns
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
8
as in grasps
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
10
as in regulates
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in aims
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
1
as in clasps
the act or manner of holding
make sure you have a firm hold on the chain saw before you turn it on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strongholds
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the ruins of an ancient Roman hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in controls
the right or means to command or control others
the government has no hold over where we live and work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in jails
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in understandings
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in imprisonments
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of holds
Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Excess water can wear down the glue that holds the bristles and handle together.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
The right edge also holds a microSD card slot and headphone jack.
—Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
The Simpsons holds a special place at Universal Studios' theme parks — and the cartoon's co-showrunner doesn't think that should ever change.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Pezeshkian answers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority in the country.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Rosales officially kicked off her book tour in September at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art during Atlanta Art Fair Weekend, returning to a campus that holds a special place in her career.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
Smotrich heads the Religious Zionism party, which holds seven seats in parliament and is in coalition with Netanyahu’s government.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
Through the first four games of the year, Clemson holds a 1-3 record.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2025
Anime tends to be front-loaded at the box office, as eager fans flock to the earliest screenings possible, so how the rest of the weekend shakes out depends on Saturday holds.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 13 Sep. 2025
The bowls have wavy, scalloped edges that give it an artisanal look as well as holds and cutouts for draining any lingering water.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
The lefties have experience in the back of games, too, with Matsui saving 236 games in Japan before arriving last year and Peralta collecting 13 saves and 75 holds throughout his 10-year career.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
No holds barred Another highlight will be China showcasing its latest jet aircraft, especially its stealth-capable variants.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Sometimes these are dropped off by individuals hired by marketers and won’t be blocked by mail holds.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
If Harbaugh’s ground game travels and the secondary holds form, Los Angeles profiles as a weekly test for contenders and a late-season factor in the AFC West.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
These are designed to control functions in a compatible Garmin chartplotter (sold separately), selecting options like preprogrammed waypoints and heading holds.
—New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
But Robbie, ever the scrappy guy, already sees through the naïve guise and holds the FBI Task Force agent at gun point.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Excess water can wear down the glue that holds the bristles and handle together.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
The right edge also holds a microSD card slot and headphone jack.
—Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
The Simpsons holds a special place at Universal Studios' theme parks — and the cartoon's co-showrunner doesn't think that should ever change.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Pezeshkian answers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority in the country.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Rosales officially kicked off her book tour in September at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art during Atlanta Art Fair Weekend, returning to a campus that holds a special place in her career.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
Smotrich heads the Religious Zionism party, which holds seven seats in parliament and is in coalition with Netanyahu’s government.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
Through the first four games of the year, Clemson holds a 1-3 record.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
The in-between is this lapsing memory, these waves that are coming in and out of what an eight-year-old holds and the collection of his life.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2025
Anime tends to be front-loaded at the box office, as eager fans flock to the earliest screenings possible, so how the rest of the weekend shakes out depends on Saturday holds.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 13 Sep. 2025
The bowls have wavy, scalloped edges that give it an artisanal look as well as holds and cutouts for draining any lingering water.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
The lefties have experience in the back of games, too, with Matsui saving 236 games in Japan before arriving last year and Peralta collecting 13 saves and 75 holds throughout his 10-year career.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
No holds barred Another highlight will be China showcasing its latest jet aircraft, especially its stealth-capable variants.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Sometimes these are dropped off by individuals hired by marketers and won’t be blocked by mail holds.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
If Harbaugh’s ground game travels and the secondary holds form, Los Angeles profiles as a weekly test for contenders and a late-season factor in the AFC West.
—Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
These are designed to control functions in a compatible Garmin chartplotter (sold separately), selecting options like preprogrammed waypoints and heading holds.
—New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds
Verb
-
Continue reading … ON THE RUN – Fear grips major US city as accused teen killer escapes in jail error.—
,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The latest such exchange – from a reader in Australia, too far for a pint – related to the looming fiscal catastrophe that uniquely grips most of the major G7 economies and China.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 6-in-1 Perfect Pot is constructed with cast aluminum and a non-stick enamel coating that not only evenly distributes and retains heat, but also prevents food from sticking to the bottom.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The 25% share that Van Kaizen retains from billings is put into marketing, invoicing, finance, legal support, and technology.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo thinks the team could actually let Bregman walk with concerns about health and decline with age.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Our 6-year-old reviewer thinks her clothes are awesome, while her parent likes that this doll encourages imaginative play.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Known to relieve nausea and bloating, ginger contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Raw dog food typically contains human-grade meat and vegetables, and it has been linked to improved digestion for canines.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The expectation was that rates could move more decisively on Friday, when the monthly employment report was set for release, but the government shutdown now has that in limbo.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The second planet from the sun has a completely inhospitable surface, with temperatures reaching 863 degrees Fahrenheit (462 degrees Celsius) and a crushing pressure underneath an oppressively thick atmosphere.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For an artist who now owns her entire catalog, the track lands like a victory lap disguised as a reckoning.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Ryan Svab, who co-owns Hereafter, also bartends at Buzzard’s Roost.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The suite accommodates six adults and a child but can be expanded through seven connecting suites for up to 20 guests.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The boot has a low, suede upper, but a thick rubber outsole that accommodates rougher, wetter environments than the thinner outsole on the Classic Minis.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The photo shows Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on one knee as Swift grasps his face.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Valeria finally grasps the extent of Manu’s deception after finding Bea dead in her hotel room.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share