Synonyms of holds on to

holds on to

phrase

present tense third-person singular of hold on to

1

as in has

to keep in one's mind or heart

She still holds on to that feeling.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• has
• holds
• retains
• hangs on to
• harbors
• cherishes
• entertains
• nurses
• keeps
• bears
• cultivates
• maintains
• carries
• remembers
• sustains
• preserves
• sticks (to)
• treasures
• fosters
• supports
• hugs
• clings (to)
• cleaves (to)
• nurtures
• broods (about or over)
• fixates (on or upon)
• obsesses (about or over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignores
• drops
• forgets
• disregards
• neglects
• refuses
• overlooks
• denies
• parts (with)
• declines
• rejects
• throws out
• gives up
• repudiates
• scorns
• deserts
• disdains
• abandons
• discards
• renounces
• quits
• forsakes
• abjures
• erases
• expunges

2

as in grips

to have or keep in one's hands

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grips
• clutches
• clenches
• holds
• grabs
• hangs on to
• carries
• clings (to)
• takes
• cradles
• bags
• traps
• feels
• captures
• fingers
• snatches
• handles
• snaps (up)
• hooks
• lands
• nails
• seizes
• hugs
• latches (on or onto)
• catches
• grasps
• snares
• collars
• paws
• clasps
• corrals
• grapples
• bears
• embraces
• nabs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gives
• hands
• drops
• turns over
• yields
• gives up
• hands over
• hands out
• delivers
• renders
• releases
• unclasps
• unhands
• relinquishes
• cedes

3

as in keeps

to continue to have in one's possession or power

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• keeps
• retains
• holds
• has
• possesses
• hangs on to
• preserves
• reserves
• saves
• withholds
• protects
• enjoys
• guards
• owns
• boasts
• conserves
• manages
• rules
• controls
• treasures
• clings (to)
• harbors
• directs
• commands
• detains
• hugs
• bears
• cherishes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yields
• hands over
• gives up
• releases
• gives
• drops
• contributes
• surrenders
• abandons
• relinquishes
• hands out
• dumps
• declines
• rejects
• discards
• loses
• donates
• cedes
• repudiates
• spurns