1
as in remained
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 waited
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 held on
The runoff election will be held on June 16 across the state.
—
Irene Wright, USA Today, 15 June 2026
And this year, Democratic voters held on to their ballots longer amid an unsettled governor’s race.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
The primary runoff election will be held on June 16.
—Jamal Goss, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Subscriptions made up 93% of sales in 2025, while net revenue retention (a measure of how much existing customers keep spending over time) was 95% for the year, indicating the company held on to the vast majority of the revenue its current users generate.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 June 2026
King of the Ring Tournament WWE unveiled the King and Queen of the Ring Tournament brackets after Clash in Italy was finished and the first match on the men’s side was held on Monday night.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Yields on shorter-term bonds such as the two- and five-year Treasuries, however, held on to most of their gains through the afternoon.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 1 June 2026
By the end of the 19th century, Decoration Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation.
—Daily News, 25 May 2026
The Podcast Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held on January 16th, 2026, as part of the annual Podfest Expo in Orlando, Florida.
—Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Irene Wright, USA Today, 15 June 2026
And this year, Democratic voters held on to their ballots longer amid an unsettled governor’s race.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
The primary runoff election will be held on June 16.
—Jamal Goss, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Subscriptions made up 93% of sales in 2025, while net revenue retention (a measure of how much existing customers keep spending over time) was 95% for the year, indicating the company held on to the vast majority of the revenue its current users generate.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 June 2026
King of the Ring Tournament WWE unveiled the King and Queen of the Ring Tournament brackets after Clash in Italy was finished and the first match on the men’s side was held on Monday night.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Yields on shorter-term bonds such as the two- and five-year Treasuries, however, held on to most of their gains through the afternoon.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 1 June 2026
By the end of the 19th century, Decoration Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation.
—Daily News, 25 May 2026
The Podcast Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held on January 16th, 2026, as part of the annual Podfest Expo in Orlando, Florida.
—Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held on
Verb
-
How many of the other 11 were skydiving instructors or students of varying experience remained unclear.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
Mitch Marner could have moved there, but remained at right wing.—
Mark Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
For more than five decades, Knicks fans waited for a team to deliver another championship.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Many Democratic voters this year waited to turn in their ballots due to the crowded pool of gubernatorial candidates, which probably exacerbated the already-slow process.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
As supporters continued singing, waving flags and celebrating into the evening, anticipation for the match only intensified.—
J.M. Banks
June 15,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
In his three-year tenure, Cribbs continued Keller’s longtime softball success, leading the Indians during a 37-7 district record.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Blackouts have lasted up to 20 hours a day and have restricted access to health services, transportation and education.—
Andrea Rodríguez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
The one moment of genuine conversation between him and Jen this episode lasted about 15 seconds before dissolving, again, into tonsil hockey.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The pattern held across the broader workforce, too, and persisted even after Gallup accounted for age, education, industry and how long ago workers had been let go.—
Joe Toscano,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Obama's tan suit moment has persisted for his supporters as an example of unfair criticism, but nearly a decade later, the suit has become an iconic piece of fashion within itself.—
Morgan Evans,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20on. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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