hold 1 of 2

verb

ˈhōld How to pronounce hold (audio)
Definition of holdnext
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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4
as in to contain
to have within the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions

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5
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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6
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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7
as in to accommodate
to make or have room for the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people

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8
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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9
as in to consider
to think of in a particular way held to be the best blueberry pies in the state

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10
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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11
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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hold

2 of 2

noun

1
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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3
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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5
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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7
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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Synonym Chooser

How is the word hold different from other verbs like it?

The words accommodate and contain are common synonyms of hold. While all three words mean "to have or be capable of having within," hold implies the capacity of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing or keeping.

the bookcase will hold all my textbooks

When is it sensible to use accommodate instead of hold?

The words accommodate and hold are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accommodate stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience.

the hall can accommodate 500 people

When would contain be a good substitute for hold?

While the synonyms contain and hold are close in meaning, contain implies the actual presence of a specified substance or quantity within something.

the can contains a quart of oil

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 hold
Verb
The next step in the process involves the city drafting a redevelopment plan outlining development standards before holding public hearings and seeking additional approvals. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 Those areas were also Sanchez’s bastion of support and his party, Together for Peru, holds ​the second-largest bloc in Congress, with Fujimori’s party holding the most seats. — Reuters, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Noun
The network, which uses water from the Seine as part of the cooling process, is under intense strain right now from record high temperatures that have taken hold across the continent. — Francois De Beaupuy, Fortune, 28 June 2026 Each class features Primary Posture and a combination of dynamic stretching, isometric movements (like holds and pulses), and cardio bursts. — Hannah Harper, Health, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
  1. grip
  2. keep
  3. think
  4. contain
  5. have
  6. retain
  7. accommodate
  8. grasp
Verb
  • The body politic wages war against itself in Shakespeare’s tragedy, and the all-out battle makes for a gripping spectacle in Griffith Park.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Button Gwinnett didn’t want to be in Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress in the summer of 1776, and not just because a heat wave gripped the city and delegates dressed in wool and powdered wigs.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • This version from Quince has a separate compartment for a laptop, as well as two separate sections to keep the remaining belongings organized.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • Beyond their cool-girl air, the shoes offer plenty of support and cushioning thanks to their plush insoles that keep your arches comfortable for hours of strutting.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 July 2026
Definition of keep
Verb
  • Everybody thought this match was going to be a walk in the park.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • There was at least one person who thought to protest over the situation.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • Pomegranates also contain vitamin K and folate, which can help support healthy blood clotting and cell growth, respectively.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The Lineage warehouse, built in 2018, is likely to contain different materials of concern.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • The landmark property celebrates the style of the sixties, when air travel still had a spark of glamor.
    — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The Chiefs have a world championship banner hanging atop the press box.
    — Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • The Heat began Tuesday by retaining three-point shooting forward Simone Fontecchio in free agency, and then continued to address its need for outside shooting when league-wide free agent negotiations were permitted to begin Tuesday night.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • Buildings with no air conditioning will heat up and retain the heat.
    — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of retain
Verb
  • The ship can accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy, according to a cruise line fact sheet.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Not every backyard can accommodate the 60-foot by 30-foot footprint these courts require, and his residential courts tend to be in communities where larger properties are the norm — like Hillsborough, Atherton, Woodside and Saratoga.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • Cooper, who had not watched Power, couldn’t grasp the enormity of the casting at the time, but was excited by the challenge of building Jarita’s origin story.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 July 2026
  • And grasping Muskism is crucial for understanding not just the man, but the world that made him.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
Definition of grasp

Phrases Containing hold

Browse Nearby Words

hokum
hold
hold a brief for
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Cite this Entry

“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hold

Nglish: Translation of hold for Spanish Speakers

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