The phrase "held fort" refers to someone's ability to maintain control or defend a position. Its antonyms are words that describe the opposite of these actions. Words such as surrender, relinquish, lose, forfeit, and abandon convey the idea of giving up control or yielding to an opponent or situation. Antonyms for "held fort" can also include terms such as retreat, withdraw, flee, and escape, which describe the act of moving away from a position or situation that was previously held. These words imply weakness or defeat and are often associated with negative outcomes in battle, sports, or any other competitive scenario.