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 data reflect one of the ways that life has fallen into a holding pattern for many.
—
Bloomberg, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
As for the Dolphins, they will likely be placed in a holding pattern because of the $54 million salary Tagovailoa is guaranteed in 2026.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Nobody inside Disney’s TV and streaming unit would ever say so out loud, but things have been in something of a holding pattern there over the past year or two as Walden competed for the CEO gig.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
The Yankees have been in a holding pattern through the first half of the offseason, with the club’s only external addition to this point being righty reliever Cade Winquest in the Rule 5 Draft.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Bloomberg, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
As for the Dolphins, they will likely be placed in a holding pattern because of the $54 million salary Tagovailoa is guaranteed in 2026.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Nobody inside Disney’s TV and streaming unit would ever say so out loud, but things have been in something of a holding pattern there over the past year or two as Walden competed for the CEO gig.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
The Yankees have been in a holding pattern through the first half of the offseason, with the club’s only external addition to this point being righty reliever Cade Winquest in the Rule 5 Draft.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
-
Shaban dismissed the New York suspension as a relatively minor, administrative oversight.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
-
One charge is his second DWI offense, a Class A misdemeanor in Texas that can carry jail time, fines and a driver’s license suspension of between six months and two years.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Caltrans advised drivers to use the prior exit to reach their destinations and avoid delays.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As the delay stretched on, some players played cards.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But what else is there to be said about a game devoid of suspense and that did nothing to abate fears that the Padres’ starting pitching will be its Achilles.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Despite the issues with the production, namely the too-tame suspense at times, this is a sharp cast of veterans.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The service From the valets to the front desk, the wait staff to the receptionist at the spa, the service was consistently warm and responsive without being uptight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For the space fans who plan to watch the Artemis II launch, the wait for countdown may feel long.—
Emily A. Margolis,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pico de gallo in cold storage for more than 4 1/2 hours still measured 46 degrees, or five degrees too warm.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Sharing the property are an organic farm with cold storage, six greenhouses, and a bonus space.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
