1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
repair work on the bridge was in a holding pattern for the duration of the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the couple has been trapped in this holding pattern for six months, as adoption officials create more red tape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of holding pattern
The bill had been held in a procedural holding pattern until bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, motioned to add it to the next available calendar.
—
Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 22 Apr. 2024
One by open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson said Russian ships, likely the Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Grigorovich frigates, the Novorossiysk Kilo-class submarine and oiler Vyazma were in a holding pattern five miles west of the port.
—Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Finding a new job is tough, but employees generally can collect paychecks through this holding pattern.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
Athletic department budget projections are in a holding pattern with the NCAA and major college conferences considering a possible settlement of an antitrust lawsuit.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for holding pattern 
Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 22 Apr. 2024
One by open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson said Russian ships, likely the Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Grigorovich frigates, the Novorossiysk Kilo-class submarine and oiler Vyazma were in a holding pattern five miles west of the port.
—Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Finding a new job is tough, but employees generally can collect paychecks through this holding pattern.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
Athletic department budget projections are in a holding pattern with the NCAA and major college conferences considering a possible settlement of an antitrust lawsuit.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
-
The suspension was handed down in response to Butler immediately exiting a practice session after being informed that his teammate, Haywood Highsmith, would be replacing him in the starting lineup ahead of the Heat’s matchup against the Orlando Magic that evening.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The suspension will provide the administration with time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of funding for those programs consistent with the law and Trump's priorities, says a White House Office of Management and Budget memo, via Reuters.—
Mike Allen,
Axios,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In the face of the delay of bringing the mission to its full operational strength of 2,500, the security situation continues to deteriorate.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
-
After a dramatic delay, when his first breadfruit voyage was ended by the famous mutiny in 1789 on his ship HMS Bounty, Captain William Bligh (1754–1817) successfully transported viable saplings to their botanical gardens in St. Vincent and other Caribbean locations in the early 1790s.—
Elaine Savory,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Audience Feedback: Conclave is a thought-provoking papal drama that delivers edge-of-your-seat suspense with a venerable Ralph Fiennes.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
-
But that doesn’t mean this category is devoid of suspense.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Niccol joined Starbucks in September to rescue the chain after boycotts, price increases and lengthy wait times prompted a rare decline in visits.—
Bloomberg,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Batista-Rodriguez said the long wait times in the ED at Baptist Health’s Kendall Hospital prompted the construction of the system’s first standalone emergency room, Baptist Health Emergency Care in West Kendall.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Breaking dormancy requires a chilling period whether the bulbs are left in the ground or dug up and removed to a cold storage area.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Those include cold storage and logistic giant Lineage’s $17.8 billion float and private equity group CVC's $15 billion listing.—
Iain Martin,
Forbes,
27 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near holding pattern
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share