1
as in suspensions
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 delays
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding patterns
Noun
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Mentored youth also saw lower absenteeism rates, fewer school suspensions and improved behaviors.—
Lina Ruiz
September 16,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Sep. 2025 -
Throughout this period, Magalhães, who said she had never been officially notified of Moraes's orders, continued posting from Florida, criticizing Brazil's suspensions of X and Rumble, and attacking Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Moraes for censorship.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Frontier and American Airlines each had nine delays.—
Marco Cummings,
Denver Post,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Acquiring the rest of the footage outside of Ice Cube’s scenes also contributed to the delays.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One pack moves several miles down the road while the pack behind it sits and waits.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The bus service’s long waits also caused crowding and loitering in the area, spokeswoman Pauline Haberman said at the time.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Holding patterns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20patterns. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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