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
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of held on
The influential firm examined executive compensation packages related to the 318 S&P 500 companies whose annual shareholder meetings are held on or after January 1, 2026.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
He was ordered held on $20,000 bond during his arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court Saturday.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
With the game tied and things looking ominous for the Galaxy, Elijah Wynder was held on a cross into the box.
—Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Wenger was held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 4.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Those arrested included the leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, who was being held on a tentative felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Breaks Interstate Park offers seasonal tours to the Virginia Elk Restoration Zone, where visitors can view the elk (reservations are required and tours are only held on select weekends).
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026
He was being held on a $14,000 bond at the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, jail records show.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The Angels held on for a 1-0 victory.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
He was ordered held on $20,000 bond during his arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court Saturday.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
With the game tied and things looking ominous for the Galaxy, Elijah Wynder was held on a cross into the box.
—Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Wenger was held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 4.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Those arrested included the leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, who was being held on a tentative felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Breaks Interstate Park offers seasonal tours to the Virginia Elk Restoration Zone, where visitors can view the elk (reservations are required and tours are only held on select weekends).
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026
He was being held on a $14,000 bond at the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, jail records show.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
The Angels held on for a 1-0 victory.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held on
Verb
-
After being bossed by Paris Saint-Germain across two legs in the Champions League quarter-final, Slot insisted the future remained bright at Liverpool.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Across the country, the average price for a gallon of gas remained above $4 Friday evening.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Seventh Round The Eagles waited until the seventh round to address safety, a spot that’s an apparent need in the starting lineup.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
And having waited for three days in the NFL's green room backstage, Heidenreich emerged in his Full Dress Blue uniform worn by midshipmen at formal functions.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Pistons were only able to make 6-of-30 threes in Game 4 and the Magic continued to frustrate Detroit star Cade Cunningham.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The questions continued when the Steelers rounded out their draft class with likely special teamers who have size (sixth-round, 6-5, 321-pound DT Gabriel Rubio) and speed (Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings ran the fastest 40 at the combine at his position) but need polish.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My first experience of a title win came after a long drought which had lasted my whole lifetime.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Our own shopping director, Rachel Fletcher, can attest to Farm Girl’s long-lasting petals, stating that her own peonies lasted nearly ten glorious days.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
From the players who persisted through injuries to play to the ones with decisions to go or stay, Brandt Clarke, Drew Doughty, Andrei Kuzmenko and Scott Laughton all discussed their futures.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But problems persisted despite tens of millions of dollars in investment and the opening of a new jail facility in 2015.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20on. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
