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

Being before the town we send in a boat under flag of truce to say we hold captive their governor, Don Federigo de Cosalva y Maldonada, demanding for him a sufficient ransom.

From Martin Conisby's Vengeance by Farnol, Jeffery

"I have come to deliver Honey-Bee of Clarides whom you unjustly hold captive in your mole-hill, hideous little moles that you are!"

From Honey-Bee 1911 by Lane, Mrs. John

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

There was obviously some subtle quality in Watts-Dunton’s nature that not only attracted to him great minds in the world of art and letters; but which seemed to hold captive their affection for a lifetime. 

From Old Familiar Faces by Watts-Dunton, Theodore