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
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Recent Examples of held on
But Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson had no challenges remaining as the Liberty held on for a 98-93 win.
—
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 21, at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 11 May 2026
All three individuals were held on a $500,000 bond each and were expected to be arraigned on Monday in Hartford Superior Court.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2026
Anika Reed The Met Gala is held on the first Monday in May, which falls on May 4 this year.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
But the Padres broke the tie with a check-swing RBI infield single by Xander Bogaerts in the eighth inning, and San Diego held on to beat the Sox 4-3 in front of a sellout crowd of 40,171 at Petco Park.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 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
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
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 21, at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 11 May 2026
All three individuals were held on a $500,000 bond each and were expected to be arraigned on Monday in Hartford Superior Court.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2026
Anika Reed The Met Gala is held on the first Monday in May, which falls on May 4 this year.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
But the Padres broke the tie with a check-swing RBI infield single by Xander Bogaerts in the eighth inning, and San Diego held on to beat the Sox 4-3 in front of a sellout crowd of 40,171 at Petco Park.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held on
Verb
-
The couple was released three days later, but the children have remained in state custody ever since.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Their recipe for success, however, remained depth.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
While family members and peers in Yuba City waited for more information, Burris writhed deeper into the bus, and responders in Martinez formulated a plan to rescue the people left inside.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
-
York walked in as a three-star recruit at Texas A&M in 2023, seized a starting job as a true freshman in fall camp, started 39 straight games at inside linebacker over three seasons, and waited with family April 26 to hear his name called on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Israeli attacks have killed nearly four hundred people since April 16th and Israel’s forces have continued to destroy villages and consolidate territorial gains in southern Lebanon.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
As for Jalen Duren, the big man’s postseason woes continued.—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
This lasted until 2023, when new management company Storey Hotel Management (who also run Nanuku Resort in Fiji and the Ameswell Hotel in California) took over, and the resort has maintained its elegance and quiet luxury.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
However, Hernández’s prolonged offensive slump to start the season lasted long enough that, earlier this homestand, Roberts dropped him to the eighth spot in the order.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Researchers found health disparities persisted across Texas, with some gaps appearing more severe than in other Southwestern states.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
Global temperature records could be challenged again So far, 2024 ranked as the planet’s warmest year on record, following the last El Nino event, which emerged in mid-2023 and persisted through spring 2024, according to NOAA.—
Dan Peck,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20on. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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