1
as in remaining
to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state
the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in waiting
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
hold on a minute—it's not your turn
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in holding up
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of holding on
Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Tad Smith, the former CEO of Sotheby’s and now partner at 50T Funds, a growth equity firm focused on digital assets, said many wealthy crypto investors are holding on to their bitcoin and other tokens expecting a further run-up in price.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, her hair was trimmed in a shaggy pixie cut; the front just barely holding on to the top of her forehead.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
One of the photos featured Justin sitting in the passenger seat of a car while holding on to Jack's feet, with the toddler standing on his father's lap.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
During their conversation, France speaks about holding on tightly to his little ones.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Howe is still talking about the possibility of holding on to Isak and reintegrating him into the Newcastle squad.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
The Miami secondary settled down in team periods, though, and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was often holding on to the ball or checking it down.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Record levels of burnout — a seven-year high, with 61% of employees reporting at least moderate burnout — suggest many are simply holding on.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Tad Smith, the former CEO of Sotheby’s and now partner at 50T Funds, a growth equity firm focused on digital assets, said many wealthy crypto investors are holding on to their bitcoin and other tokens expecting a further run-up in price.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, her hair was trimmed in a shaggy pixie cut; the front just barely holding on to the top of her forehead.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
One of the photos featured Justin sitting in the passenger seat of a car while holding on to Jack's feet, with the toddler standing on his father's lap.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
During their conversation, France speaks about holding on tightly to his little ones.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Howe is still talking about the possibility of holding on to Isak and reintegrating him into the Newcastle squad.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
The Miami secondary settled down in team periods, though, and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was often holding on to the ball or checking it down.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding on
Verb
-
Derby County had done the same 24 hours earlier, leaving Norwich, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday as the remaining clubs yet to triumph on home soil.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In Milpitas, the censure process can be initiated by one councilmember on another, with a committee from the remaining councilmembers deciding whether to investigate further, hold a censure hearing or take no further action.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The first proposal almost certainly would have been defeated in the courts, while the other sounds like a fiscal disaster waiting to happen.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Look at how McKelway seductively unspooled the facts, waiting, like a poker player, until the last moment to reveal his ace.—
David Grann,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Rest is Football is part of a recent trend in football coverage which sees ex-players turned pundits — such as Gary Neville, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards — being very open about their continuing allegiances to former clubs.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Indeed, there’s a precedent, and continuing pride, in French prep prioritizing its own homegrown brands, with Lacoste standing out as the preeminent example.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Multiple meetings about the policy in Sumner County have drawn extensive public comment, both for and against the policy, with most meetings lasting hours.—
Angele Latham,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
-
During their tenures, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama all experienced shutdowns lasting more than two weeks.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20on. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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