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
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
He was held on $2 million bail for more than a month.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 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
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
He was held on $2 million bail for more than a month.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 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
-
Ecology remained characteristic of her approach, but Carson now broadened her aims to encompass a mobilization of public opinion equal to the task of addressing the widespread harms of chemical pesticides in everyday life and agricultural ecosystems alike.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Tensions have remained high since the ceasefire, and the two sides have launched attacks on each other multiple times in recent weeks.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Repair experts waited behind long cafeteria tables to teach alternatives, giving people chances to learn that flawed goods aren’t automatically junk.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
Following the shooting, the vehicle driver, who was not injured, and the wounded boy, got off the freeway and waited for emergency responders at 150th Avenue and Freedom Avenue.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Hezbollah has also continued its attacks.—
Parisa Hafezi,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
But the Spurs continued to close out, all to end with Wembanyama swatting away Landry Shamet’s layup attempt.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday, the school promoted offensive coordinator Anthony Vizakis to take over the coveted role, ending a search that lasted about six weeks.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
The struggle between the federal agent and the two men lasted about 12 seconds, contradicting the agent’s account that he was engaged in a struggle for about three minutes before the shooting.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Currently, Lebanon is supposed to be under a ceasefire, but Israeli strikes have persisted.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
29 May 2026
-
The promise by the National Weather Service for drier and warmer weather for the Bay Area still persisted Thursday afternoon, but that weather was taking its sweet time getting to the region.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20on. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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