1
as in remains
to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state
the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in waits
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
hold on a minute—it's not your turn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holds on
Nava’s specific approach to reining in rogue behavior by AI agents is the creation of an escrow service that holds on to funds until an agent proposes a transaction.
—
Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
The camera holds on them mid-ascent.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
The camera holds on them mid-ascent.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds on
Verb
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His trial is currently scheduled to begin in May 2027, though the date remains subject to change, his criminal defense attorney Amber Fayerberg previously confirmed to PEOPLE.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
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The Eastern Pacific remains a key corridor for narcotics trafficking, with criminal organizations frequently using small vessels to move drugs toward North America.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
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The last possibility is the one that strains the current regulatory approach, in which the government waits for a technology to settle before studying its effects and writing rules around them.—
Craig S. Smith,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The hurricane season lasts six months, from June through November.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
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If the sanctions waiver lasts only for the 60-day ceasefire extension following the agreement’s signing, international buyers could be unwilling to play ball, cautioned Homayoun Falakshahi, an oil market analyst at Kpler.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
And what do these aesthetic hotel stays cost?—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2026
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Interestingly, each family stays within roughly a 25-acre parcel of land.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The resting of players isn’t going away, particularly as sports science continues to emphasize recovery and injury prevention.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Yet, outside Ashton, which has attracted national journalists for its rail links to London and high footfall, life in the other small towns which make up the constituency continues much the same.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20on. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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