holds

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

STRONGEST

weakness

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

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.

Appeared in the March 7, 2026, print edition as 'Jerry Bruckheimer Holds the Line On Entertainment for Everyone'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Fifteen of the 17 analysts that cover the stock rate it either a Buy or Outperform versus only two Holds.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

In the 1974 sequel, “Barry McKenzie Holds His Own,” the Australian prime minister, Gough Whitlam, makes a cameo to confer the title of dame on Edna.

From Washington Post • Apr. 22, 2023

In May, seven years after his honorary consul positions ended, he posted a video online titled "Robert Shumake Holds the Titles of Honorary Consul."

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2022

Holds it close to his ear and gives it a shake.

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone