hold captive

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.

It also said the Taliban should free 1,000 government personnel, including military men, they hold captive.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 25, 2020

Now they had a crude net, woven, as Dalgard knew, of undersea fibers strong enough to hold captive plunging monsters a dozen times the size of the box.

From Star Born by Norton, Andre

There are three powers, three powers alone, able to conquer and to hold captive for ever the conscience of these impotent rebels for their happiness—those forces are miracle, mystery and authority.

From The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky, Fyodor

We will credit him with no desire to capture and hold captive the native coolies, but with a longing while still in sight of India's coral strand for the boar and tiger haunts.

From My Trip Around the World August, 1895-May, 1896 by Hunt, Eleonora

"So strong, original, and thrilling as to hold captive the attention of the mature as well as of the youthful reader."

From The Story of a Strange Career Being the Autobiography of a Convict; an Authentic Document by Anonymous