Synonyms of hold on

hold on

verb

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

• remain
• continue
• last
• persist
• run on
• stay
• endure
• hold up
• keep up
• survive
• abide
• bide
• stick around
• linger
• perdure
• prevail
• carry through
• tarry

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stop
• die
• pass
• end
• wind up
• conclude
• finish
• close
• cease
• terminate
• die (down)
• quit
• expire
• discontinue
• leave off
• lapse
• desist
• moderate
• subside
• abate
• let up
• wane
• ebb

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

• wait
• stay
• hold one's breath
• sit tight
• bide one's time
• await
• cool one's heels
• remain
• hang around
• linger
• stick around
• bide
• stand by
• watch (for)
• expect
• anticipate
• tarry

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hold on

That’s the understatement of the day from a Neighborhood Planning Unit member talking about the Formula 1 racing event that will be held on the streets of Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood this Saturday. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 31 July 2026

In the past month, the new FDA leadership has lifted the hold on Hunter syndrome and reconsidered the program’s approval pathway. — Kat Bryant Knudson, STAT, 31 July 2026

He was being held on $100,000 bail for about two weeks, until his release on Thursday, records show. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Dugan was a pallbearer at Ruth’s funeral, held on a hot, rainy morning that August. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 31 July 2026