hold

1. verb

1)

she held a suitcase

Syn:

clasp, clutch, grasp, grip, clench, cling to, hold on to; carry, bear

Ant:

release, let go of

2)

I wanted to hold her

Syn:

embrace, hug, clasp, cradle, enfold, squeeze, fold in one's arms, cling to

3)

do you hold a degree?

Syn:

possess, have, own, bear, carry, have to one's name

4)

the branch held my weight

Syn:

support, bear, carry, take, keep up, sustain, prop up, shore up

5)

the police were holding him

Syn:

detain, hold in custody, imprison, lock up, put behind bars, put in prison, put in jail, incarcerate, keep under lock and key, confine, constrain, intern, impound; informal put away

Ant:

release, let go

6)

try to hold the audience's attention

Syn:

maintain, keep, occupy, engross, absorb, interest, captivate, fascinate, enthrall, rivet, mesmerize, transfix; engage, catch, capture, arrest

Ant:

lose

7)

he held a senior post

Syn:

occupy, have, fill; informal hold down

8)

the tank holds 250 gallons

Syn:

take, contain, accommodate, fit; have a capacity of, have room for

9)

the court held that there was no evidence

Syn:

maintain, consider, take the view, believe, think, feel, deem, be of the opinion; judge, rule, decide; informal reckon; formal opine, esteem

10)

let's hope the good weather holds

Syn:

persist, continue, carry on, go on, hold out, keep up, last, endure, stay, remain

Ant:

end

11)

the offer still holds

Syn:

be available, be valid, hold good, stand, apply, remain, exist, be the case, be in force, be in effect

12)

they held a meeting

Syn:

convene, call, summon; conduct, have, organize, run; formal convoke

Ant:

disband

13)

hold your fire

Syn:

stop, halt, restrain, check, cease, discontinue; informal break off, give up; hold back, suppress, repress, refrain from using, stifle, withhold

Ant:

resume

2. noun

1)

she kept a hold on my hand

Syn:

grip, grasp, clasp, clutch

2)

Tom had a hold over his father

Syn:

influence, power, control, dominance, authority, command, leverage, sway, mastery, dominion

3)

the military tightened their hold on the capital

Syn:

control, grip, power, stranglehold, chokehold, dominion, authority

•

- get hold of

- hold back

- hold dear

- hold down

- hold forth

- hold off

- hold on

- hold on to

- hold one's own

- hold out

- hold over

- hold up

- hold water

- with no holds barred