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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding pattern
Overall, the labor market has been in a holding pattern for much of the last six months, with employers reluctant to add many people to their payrolls but also hesitant to lay people off.
—
Scott Horsley, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
The holding pattern gives space for others to jump in and shape the market.
—Justin Worland, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
As staffers await new leadership, projects have floundered, many in a holding pattern awaiting funding.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Either way, at least the agonizing holding pattern would be over.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Scott Horsley, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
The holding pattern gives space for others to jump in and shape the market.
—Justin Worland, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
As staffers await new leadership, projects have floundered, many in a holding pattern awaiting funding.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Either way, at least the agonizing holding pattern would be over.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that the veteran bench boss who took over in Vegas with just eight games left in the regular season was mad about the suspension of defenseman Brayden McNabb.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Weighing in at around 220 pounds, its eyes dotted around the room as its legs dangled in suspension.—
Martine Paris,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The delays in filling housing through the city’s lottery have knock-on effects beyond the apartments not going quickly to the people who need them.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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Consumers can track a package or rideshare driver in real time, yet hospitals still struggle to reliably exchange imaging studies, authorization records and clinical documentation without delays, duplication or manual intervention.—
Demetri Giannikopoulos,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Who is murdered, why and Clare’s entanglement in the whole deal unfold over the remainder of the novel, featuring much tighter and more plausible plotting than your average suspense story.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
-
The project highlights growing international interest in elevated Latin American genre cinema blending political commentary, suspense, violence and social critique.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Others focused on the park-wide outage itself, with some guests sharing frustrations about long waits and ride shutdowns throughout the day.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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There are no state regulations preventing voters from bringing a furry companion along for the wait.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
19 May 2026
Noun
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The aforementioned fridge provides 176 liters of cold storage and includes a drawer freezer.—
C.C. Weiss
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
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This turns out to be quite useful in some pharmaceutical applications, including allowing drugs to dissolve more consistently, retain a longer shelf life or reduce cold storage requirements, and reducing side effects.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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