1
as in keeping up
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in holding on
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanging on
Verb
-
In addition to the existential problems of the products being produced in the Valley, for Glatzer there’s the logistical issue of keeping up with the extremely fast pace of technology.—
Amanda Champagne-Meadows,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2026 -
The Nevada Irrigation District says the increases are necessary to fix aging infrastructure while keeping up with rising costs.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
While some clips show people singing and dancing along with the movie or as the film's credits roll, other viral videos show fans hanging around long after the film was over to continue the party.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
With so many angels hanging around, the head of a pin problem is small potatoes given the current state of the world.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But life was carrying on, Diane said.—
Sarah Dahlberg,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
-
While the theater seeks a new space, fellow indie theater Central Cinema is carrying on the screenings with 60 percent of its ticket sales going to Grand Illusion’s relocation fund.—
Donald Liebenson,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Many of his later programs have been capped by a coda in which the tricks of the trade are laid bare—no trick being more vital than that of extreme patience, with camera operators waiting days, or even weeks, for the right cub, or pup, or fledgling, or froglet, to show up.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
At the finish of the night, once the final notes have faded and the last bits of confetti have dropped, Eilish, now coming off less like a savior blessing her masses than just another young woman at the end of a tough but rewarding workday, hops into a waiting SUV.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Something in him still thinks this world is worth sticking around for.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Wheatley could be a breakout player on special teams though, even with former first-round pick Isaiah Simmons sticking around.—
Mike Kaye
April 30,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Hanging on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanging%20on. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
