Synonyms for

Held

Verb / held / Another word for held — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to have or keep in one's grasp

Synonyms & similar words

book confine throw adjudge nurse give defy apply defend keep disagree make havegot holdin sustain carry moderate letgoof takehold oblige harbour accommodate agree gofor reserve grasped clutched gripped embraced clasped seized caught captured detained kept maintained retained secured sustained supported upheld possessed owned had

Synonyms by register

Formal

retained possessed occupied maintained

Informal

kept grabbed clutched clamped

Literary

grasped clutched embraced

Antonyms

released freed let go unfastened unbound discharged

Common collocations

  • held captive
  • held responsible
  • held accountable
  • held dear
  • held up
  • held back
  • held onto
  • held in

Word family

noun hold
verb hold
adjective held

Usage note

The word 'held' is the past tense and past participle of 'hold'. It can refer to physically grasping something or to maintaining a position or state.

Example sentences

  1. I held the door open for my friend.
  2. She held the baby in her arms.
  3. He held the trophy up high in the air.
  4. The teacher held the attention of the students.
  5. The athlete held the world record for years.

Quotes

  • I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess. - Martin Luther
  • The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt
  • We are not held back by the love we didn't receive in the past, but by the love we're not extending in the present. - Marianne Williamson

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