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

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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 Guzman was being held on $450,000 bail, according to jail records. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026 The sudden-death playoff was held on the Par 5 18th hole, so advantage Potgieter. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 This $120 area has held on two prior occasions and is being tested again. — Jay Woods, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 Wiping cloths were held on prep tables and not in a chemical sanitizing solution. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 The Bears dominated early and held on for a 31-23 victory on Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. — Rod Beard, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Luckily, his heart held on long enough for doctors to rush him to an operating room and drain the fluid, saving his life. — Amiran Baduashvili, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 Daily Sunrise Stretch classes, often held on the waterfront deck, are complimentary. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 The defense even held on in perhaps the game’s most pivotal moment. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held on

Verb

The pickup truck driver remained at the scene and was cooperating with investigators, Monroe said.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Regardless, Republican Sam Matthews, an at-times independent voter who dropped into the Ohio GOP bus tour launch party in Strongsville, remained adamant Democrats continued to be too extreme for most of the electorate.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of remained

Verb

When Whataburger reopened a location here in town back in August, Gregory was there on Day One and waited for nearly an hour to get her fix.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2026
Ahead of him, the Great Sea Reef—colossal, colorful, teeming with sea life and yet empty of humans—waited just below the surface.

— Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of waited

Verb

Other Democrats, as well as some Republicans, have continued to push to hold Epstein associates accountable.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 11 Nov. 2026
Armies of lawyers and volunteers for both sides continued to monitor the vote count across the state's 82 counties.

— Gregory S. Schneider The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of continued

Verb

Nearly 500 flights in and out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport were delayed, and at least 90 canceled, due to the meltdown that lasted about four hours.

— Chase Jordan Updated November 13, Charlotte Observer, 14 Nov. 2026
The stoppage, which lasted more than four hours, caused widespread disruption and prompted shares in airlines to drop.

— Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 14 Nov. 2026

Definition of lasted

Verb

Hill-Lewis is hoping that South Africans are finally fed up with the ANC’s largely one-party rule that has persisted since Mandela became president in the first all-race elections in 1994.

— Keith B. Richburg, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026
Students blamed rampant state corruption, and their mass protests persisted in the face of violent repression.

— Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026