"Held own" is an expression that conveys the idea of standing one's ground, maintaining one's position, or keeping up with others. There are many words that can be used as synonyms for "held own", such as persevered, persisted, endured, sustained, withstood, survived, weathered, braved, confronted, faced, challenged, contested, fought, maintained, preserved, retained, and guarded. All these words suggest a sense of resilience, determination, and strength of character in the face of adversity or opposition. Whether it's in a personal, professional, or social context, the ability to hold one's own is a valuable trait that can lead to success, confidence, and respect.