hold captive

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 also said the Taliban should free 1,000 government personnel, including military men, they hold captive.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 25, 2020

"So strong, original, and thrilling as to hold captive the attention of the mature as well as of the youthful reader."

From The Story of a Strange Career Being the Autobiography of a Convict; an Authentic Document by Anonymous

I don’t know; they have great numbers of Christians whom they hold captive, and it is rare indeed that one of them escapes.

From By Conduct and Courage A Story of the Days of Nelson by Rainey, W. (William)

There are three powers, three powers alone, able to conquer and to hold captive for ever the conscience of these impotent rebels for their happiness—those forces are miracle, mystery and authority.

From The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky, Fyodor

There was obviously some subtle quality in Watts-Dunton’s nature that not only attracted to him great minds in the world of art and letters; but which seemed to hold captive their affection for a lifetime. 

From Old Familiar Faces by Watts-Dunton, Theodore