HANGING ON Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

hanging on

verb

present participle of hang on

as in keeping up

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Dissimilar Words

as in holding on

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanging on

Verb

Start by keeping up with bills and financial obligations that remain payable after bankruptcy.

— Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Most older adults believe the COLA isn’t adequately keeping up with inflation, according to an AARP poll from September.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of keeping up

Verb

Fixed on a mobile rig that will at times careen and whoosh across the stage when not otherwise holding on Winter, Anderson’s camera catches the expressionism and chiaroscuro of stage lights illuminating and fading off the singer’s face.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
Walter didn’t publicly step down from any roles after the stroke, holding on to control of a vast portfolio.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of holding on

Verb

There’s been a lot of talk about carrying on her work, especially during these times when people feel like some of it has been eroded.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Oct. 2026
In the tangled greenery of a Ugandan national park, mountain gorillas sit among the leaves, calmly carrying on as tourists trek into their forest home.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of carrying on

Verb

As the daughter of two classical singers, she was used to hanging around backstage and going along with the rhythm of theatrical days.

— Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Dorothy recalls patrons hanging around the shop for hours, running her hands along a rainbow of silk ties, and picking up tailor pins with her cousins to pass the time.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hanging around

Verb

The matter was highly contentious in the community, with residents arriving at Inkster City Hall 90 minutes before the council meeting began and waiting outside to speak during public comment.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
After so much talk leading up to and coming out of the game in Melbourne, Australia, about the Los Angeles Rams waiting until late to fly there — and lost 27-7 to San Francisco — the NFL does not appear close to dictating when teams must travel.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of waiting

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Style

“Hanging on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanging%20on. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hanging on

verb

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