Melgar's hold on power had weakened because he lacked support among large landowners.

Its hold weakened by the steady seep of moisture, the great rock was unable to take her weight.

Sandy stared in surprize, and her hold on the door weakened enough for Tony to open it.

The world looked too small to reclaim her; its hold on her was weakening.

His hold was weakening; but strong arms came to his rescue.

Immediately its hold weakened, but he knew the thing's strength hadn't lessened; his own had grown stronger.

Since that original programming, however, the master computer's hold on humanity had weakened.

But since 1848 their hold had been weakening.

The nation's mood was crucial because it meant that the politicians' hold over society had weakened.

Spain's hold on its colonies weakened till it had to give them independence.