as in holding up
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Dissimilar Words
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
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of holding on
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Now, holding on to Paredes may prove to be a season-saving decision.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Older employees are holding on to roles for longer, delaying the upward movement that typically creates space for new entrants.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
As the price of gas in California pushes toward $6 a gallon, Bay Area drivers are holding on for a miracle.
—Kara St. Cyr, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Amid all that, Varsity Blues — about a Texas high-school football team rebelling against its abusive coach and holding on to one last gasp of glory before graduation — got a little lost.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Also, Southern California visits Nebraska with both sides holding on for dear life.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 31 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
Verb
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Now, holding on to Paredes may prove to be a season-saving decision.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Older employees are holding on to roles for longer, delaying the upward movement that typically creates space for new entrants.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
As the price of gas in California pushes toward $6 a gallon, Bay Area drivers are holding on for a miracle.
—Kara St. Cyr, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Amid all that, Varsity Blues — about a Texas high-school football team rebelling against its abusive coach and holding on to one last gasp of glory before graduation — got a little lost.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Also, Southern California visits Nebraska with both sides holding on for dear life.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 31 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding on
Verb
-
Now there is space for the remaining patients to occupy their seats without the self-conscious drawing-in of arms and legs that comes from sitting too close to a stranger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
With the semifinals finished, there are four teams remaining in the 2026 NBA Playoffs on the road to the NBA Finals.—
Rudie Obias,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
And across all networks, just six new shows bow in the fall — with most waiting for post-football homes.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
The Sun forms a cazimi with Mercury in Taurus in your 12th House of Reflection, illuminating private thoughts, old patterns, and instincts that have been waiting underneath the noise.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Allied has also called for an injunction to stop Wallace-Harrison from continuing its body removal duties.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
By continuing to increase the number of national broadcasts, the NFL has diluted the value of both RedZone and Sunday Ticket.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Players tend to take on longer lasting sources of energy, but reaching for a quickfire caffeine or sugar hit in times of need is not unheard of and the psychological impact of feeling energized can be just as important as any actual boost.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Thoughtful touches, like gifting departing guests with delicate shell necklaces, make a lasting impression.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20on. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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