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Showing results for hold on to. Search instead for hold onto.
Definitions

hold on to

VERB
squeeze
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clutch compress cram crush grip pack pinch press stuff wedge wring
STRONG
bear choke clasp clip contract crowd cuddle embrace enfold force hug jam jostle nip quash ram scrunch squash squish strangle throttle thrust
WEAK
hold tight
Antonyms
STRONGEST
let go release uncompress
STRONG
allow free loose push away shun
WEAK
expand
VERB
keep
Synonyms
STRONGEST
carry conduct control enjoy have manage place preserve put retain save store
STRONG
accumulate amass cache conserve deposit detain direct garner grasp grip heap own pile possess reserve season stack stock withhold
WEAK
care for deal in hold back put up trade in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
displace fail hurt let go lose remove squander want waste
STRONG
disperse dispossess dissipate divide neglect release scatter separate spend use up
WEAK
abandon consume give give up hand over ignore let happen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s extraordinarily important that we try to hold on to our processing capacity that we have now,” he said.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

“We need more zone time. We have to hold on to pucks. We can forecheck harder. We have to do a better job of creating.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Yet Novo Nordisk plans to avoid the mistakes that hurt it during the last round, and will seek to hold on to its early lead by emphasizing the effectiveness of its pill.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

It left her family living with the knowledge of what was coming, while trying to hold on to everyday life.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Even after Papa’s hand grew cold, and Carmen understood that some things get taken away, no matter how hard you try to hold on to them.

From "I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919" by Lauren Tarshis