HANDHOLD Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

handhold

noun

ˈhand-ˌhōld

Definition of handhold

as in grip

the act or manner of holding she tried to maintain her tight handhold on the umbrella as the wind picked up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 handhold The rock wall offered no handholds, and the waves might easily have beaten us unconscious on the rocks. — Jim Hoagland, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026 Etherington’s team responded by rappelling the entire route, hand-cleaning every potential handhold with towels and baby wipes. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026 Making his way blindly back around the jagged metal shard, moving along the side of the Gemini—finding the handholds and Velcro and the ship’s aft cable without the benefit of vision, all the while battling to keep his heart rate under control—was no small thing. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025 That would cut off access to the narrow gaps between train cars where subway surfers use handholds to hoist themselves onto the roof. — Dave Smith, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for handhold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handhold

Noun

Your first instinct may be to tighten your grip, but flexibility could serve you better.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
While Xi has consolidated his grip on power, analysts say the plenum will offer him an opportunity to further align what Chinese officials do with what Beijing wants.

— KANIS LEUNG, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of grip

Noun

Falcons gain possession with fumble recovery Maason Smith continued a solid game by punching out the football from the grasp of 49ers running back Kaelon Black, a fumble recovered by Gervon Dexter Sr.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Both scores were a reflection of Martinez’s grasp of the game’s nuances.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of grasp

Browse Nearby Words

handguns

handhold

hand-holding

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Style

“Handhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handhold. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of handhold

noun

Example Sentences

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