1
as in to remain
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 to wait
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 hold on
The latest statement from the dressing room to Waddell’s desk came Thursday, when the Blue Jackets held on to beat the Florida Panthers 4-2 before 16,669 in Nationwide Arena, their 14th win in 17 games.
—
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Other teams have occasionally broken the 15-year interlocking grip the Astros and Rangers held on the West.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 6, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Durant made 1 of 2 free throws after and a foul by the Rockets allowed Golden State to hold on for the win.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Peoples, who carried the Vikings early with seven points in the first quarter, felt Johnson was the biggest key to the team holding on to the win late.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold on
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Other teams have occasionally broken the 15-year interlocking grip the Astros and Rangers held on the West.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 6, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Durant made 1 of 2 free throws after and a foul by the Rockets allowed Golden State to hold on for the win.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Peoples, who carried the Vikings early with seven points in the first quarter, felt Johnson was the biggest key to the team holding on to the win late.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold on
Verb
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And weekly filings for first-time jobless benefits – considered a proxy for layoffs – have remained steadily low.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The remaining 110 seats in the 275-member body will be allocated through a proportional representation system, under which political parties nominate lawmakers based on their share of the vote.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lauer was the lone holdout, waiting until a few weeks before trial to admit guilt.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
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This is something people have been waiting for.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Travelers can disembark in towns like Ticonderoga to visit Fort Ticonderoga, a key Revolutionary War site overlooking the lake, or continue north toward Plattsburgh, where waterfront trails and kayaking launches offer easy access to the water.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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The threat of severe weather continued in the nation's midsection, with strong thunderstorms possible from Texas northeast all the way to Ohio and western Pennsylvania and New York.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chiles stays perfect Another week, another Jordan Chiles perfect 10.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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There are a multitude of absurd high jinks and shenanigans (really the only words applicable here) that lead to Greg's decision to stay and inevitably fill each episode.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Landing a job that lasts over a decade is a blessing for any working actor.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
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Over the last few years, AI models have gone from being able to manage tasks lasting only a few seconds to today’s AI agents working autonomously for many hours.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20on. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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