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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.

If you’re going to hold on to bedside alarm clocks in a world of ubiquitous smartphones, make them clocks that automatically reset between nights or guests.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Interestingly, despite her apparent eagerness to hold on to her California property, Simpson had previously expressed a desire to quit the Golden State once and for all.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Metro will hold on to your item for no more than 90 days.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

And while I do hold on to some books, I don’t like to accumulate too many.

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2026

I was hoping there’d be some keepsakes inside, something of Nan’s that I could hold on to.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.