TAKE HOLD Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

take hold

phrase

Definition of take hold

as in work

to produce a desired effect It was clear in the students' essays that her lessons had taken hold.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of take hold As competing ambitions take hold across the village, tensions rise and unrest erupts, forcing Ugandan military forces to intervene. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026 Hot, dry temperatures fueling Western fires The opposite kind of heat has taken hold in several Western states, where high temperatures and low humidity are combining to set the stage for raging wildfires. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 Leaving them behind creates a barrier between new seed and the soil, which blocks the root contacts that seedlings rely on to take hold and germinate. — Amanda Tust, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2026 As QAnon conspiracy theories took hold with people from around the world and tensions around policies to prevent the spread of Covid reached a boiling point, this previously unknown woman became the unlikely answer some in Canada were searching for. — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take hold

Recent Examples of Synonyms for take hold

take effect

Phrase

What did take effect is transparency and enforcement powers over model providers.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
This increase is automatic and takes effect every year on July 1.

— Tony Strickland, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2026