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
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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 best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
—
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
Indonesian Cinema Night, held on May 14, was designed to connect producers, directors, and institutions directly with international investors, festival programmers, and industry partners.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 May 2026
At the intersection of climate and faith, the documentary brings audiences inside one of the most isolated communities in America, a conservative Christian fishing town on a remote island in the Chesapeake Bay fighting to hold on as the land beneath them disappears.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 May 2026
But the Steelers didn’t hold on to the 6-foot-6, 290-pound defensive end long, cutting him during final roster moves before the start of the season.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold on
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
Indonesian Cinema Night, held on May 14, was designed to connect producers, directors, and institutions directly with international investors, festival programmers, and industry partners.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 May 2026
At the intersection of climate and faith, the documentary brings audiences inside one of the most isolated communities in America, a conservative Christian fishing town on a remote island in the Chesapeake Bay fighting to hold on as the land beneath them disappears.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 May 2026
But the Steelers didn’t hold on to the 6-foot-6, 290-pound defensive end long, cutting him during final roster moves before the start of the season.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold on
Verb
-
Burrow has dealt with injuries throughout his career but remains one of the premier talents at the position when healthy.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
But the billionaires’ tax cuts remain.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the charming house with a small brook off to the side, stands waiting to be occupied with some, but not a lot, of work required.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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And just wait until the sun sets and the city lights up like a Chinese Christmas tree.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Uthmeier and his team must continue their fight in this pivotal case to protect preborn children.—
Kimberly Bird,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
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The similarities continued in the third period when Quinn scored the Sabres’ sixth goal on a power play, just as Demidov did in Game 5.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
On most plays, Division III defenders couldn’t even stay close.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Active families, newlyweds, solo travelers, fit friends, long-together couples, locals meeting for drinks—there’s a lovely mix of guests staying at (and just visiting) the property.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The attack began in midmorning and lasted for hours in the capital of Kyiv, the western city of Lviv near Poland, and the port of Odesa on the Black Sea, among other population centers, Zelenskyy said on the Telegram messaging app.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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In a segment expected to last a few minutes, ABC News reporter Will Ganss will preview this weekend’s YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20on. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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