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.

Leaders’ visions of a once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunity collide with longtime residents’ desire to hold on to their quiet way of life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Portland struggled to hold on to the ball and turned it over nine times in the third quarter, allowing the Sparks to outscore them 23-12.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Among them is the disposition effect, a behavioral investing phenomenon that causes people to sell their winners too early and hold on to losers for too long.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

The young girl told Chiedza to hold on to the ball as a flotation aid and swam back to shore.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

I hold on to the quiet for as long as I can.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari

hold on to

Example Sentences

Related Words