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 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
-
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
-
Anunoby called it special to do this for a city that had waited more than half a century.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
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
-
Some lasted no more than a year or two.—
David Lyman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Karki's sentence lasted several months between 2013 and 2014.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Now, after a few months into the school year questions on how the massive budget deficit will be addressed have persisted without concrete answers.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Certain characters, particularly a rough-around-the-edges aunt played by Jamie Lee Curtis, feel like first-draft ideas that nevertheless persisted.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Held on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20on. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
