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Definitions

hold

[hohld] / hoʊld /
NOUN
grasp, possession
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dominance grip influence
STRONG
authority clasp clench clinch clout clutch control dominion occupancy occupation ownership pull purchase retention sway tenacity tenure
Antonyms
WEAK
dispossession release
VERB
have in one's hands, possession; grasp
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrest carry detain enjoy have imprison keep maintain occupy own seize take
STRONG
adhere bind catch check cherish clasp cleave clench clinch cling clutch confine contain cradle embrace enclose fondle grip handle hug nourish palm possess press restrain retain secure squeeze stick trammel vise wield withhold wring
WEAK
bottle up cork up freeze to hang on keep close keep out lock up not let go put a lock on stay put
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fail free give ignore lack let go liberate lose need neglect offer reject release want
STRONG
abandon aid allow assist exclude help loose loosen miss permit unfasten untie
WEAK
cancel cease desert disbelieve drop forsake halt quit stop
VERB
believe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buy maintain
STRONG
assume aver consider credit deem entertain esteem feel judge okay presume reckon regard sense think view
WEAK
bet bottom dollar cross one's heart have hunch have sneaking suspicion lap up lay money on set store by swear by swear up and down take as gospel truth take stock in
Antonyms
STRONG
disbelieve disregard forget ignore leave mistrust neglect refuse reject
WEAK
abandon cancel cease desert drop forsake halt let go quit release stop
VERB
continue, endure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
last operate remain stay
STRONG
apply exist persevere persist resist wear
WEAK
be in effect be in force be the case be valid have bearing hold good hold true remain true stand up stay staunch
Antonyms
STRONGEST
go leave
STRONG
give up quit stop
WEAK
abandon cancel cease desert disbelieve drop forsake halt let go release
VERB
support
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bear carry stay take
STRONG
bolster brace buttress lock prop shoulder sustain underpin uphold
WEAK
shore up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
avoid dodge fail lose refuse
STRONG
unfasten weaken
WEAK
abandon cancel cease desert disbelieve drop forsake halt let go quit release stop
VERB
have a capacity for
Synonyms
STRONGEST
carry include take
STRONG
accommodate comprise contain seat
WEAK
be equipped for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fail lose reject
STRONG
exclude
WEAK
abandon cancel cease desert disbelieve drop forsake halt let go quit release stop
VERB
conduct meeting, function
Synonyms
STRONGEST
call celebrate convene have run
STRONG
assemble officiate preside solemnize
WEAK
carry on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cancel ignore stop
STRONG
follow
WEAK
abandon cease desert disbelieve drop forsake halt let go quit release

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.

He added that while oil prices might be the same or higher in the months ahead, he believed the US economy would hold up.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Israel and Lebanon will hold their own talks next week in Washington.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The barbs were placed on a wire, and a second wire was twisted around it to hold the barbs in place.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

These small, stable lipid patches hold the proteins in place and closely resemble the virus's outer layer.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

After their long rest, my dogs were wild to be on the trail—so wild that the handler tied his sled to mine to hold them back.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Vocabulary lists containing hold

"Fire and Ice"

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