HELD ON Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

held on

verb

past tense of hold on

as in remained

to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 She is currently being held on a $5 million bond and will be tried as an adult. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 14 Sep. 2026 There are ambitious plans for the development of the stadium, with a planning meeting expected to be held on September 16, which should hopefully see those plans take a significant step forward. — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Rituals are held on the final day to pray for the souls of the departed. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 Last year, the Venice amfAR Gala was held on a private island only accessible by water bus, with an after-party on another, more beautiful private Venetian island that was difficult to leave. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 7 Sep. 2026 As the Times report noted, the Met Gala, an extravagant event held in tandem with the Costume Institute’s spring show, is typically held on the first Monday in May. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Alexander Quimbiamba-Albaran, 30, of Waterbury was charged with second-degree breach of peace and was also held on a $500 bond pending an arraignment hearing Monday. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 The draw for the Doubles competitions will be held on September 1. — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 But from a brand perspective, YSL Beauty took the number-one spot in 2025 and has held on to it since. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held on

Verb

At least 211 people were rescued from an Indonesian ferry that caught fire last month in rough seas near the Indonesian tourist island of Bali, while one person was found dead and four others remained missing.

— IMAN SATRIA, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Despite those difficulties, Fiesta Hispana remained free and continued its support of educational opportunities for high school and college students and nonprofit organizations.

— J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of remained

Verb

But in recent weeks, hundreds, if not thousands, of immigrants — babies, children and elderly adults included — have waited for hours outside its doors to attend routine hearings.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Earlier that month, Greg Rogers, chief fiscal officer for the Education Department, said the department waited before requesting additional funds to determine how many students would actually use the accounts they were approved to receive.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of waited

Verb

Heading into the night, Apple TV was in a good place, and Widow’s Bay continued to win six more trophies throughout the evening, bringing its total to 14.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Even after the ruling, the insurer continued to deny smoke damage claims.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of continued

Verb

Five of the Bulldogs’ scoring drives lasted one or two plays.

— Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Skip Schumaker’s history with late-season runs The first-year Rangers manager is deprecating about his playing career as mostly a utility player, which lasted from 2005 to 2015 and covered tenures with the Cardinals, Dodgers and Reds.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of lasted

Verb

Police were not required to refer people to services, treatment providers received no additional funding, and waitlists persisted.

— Karyn Sporer, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
But even if United had drawn this game 0-0, those doubts about the squad would have persisted.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026