HOLDING ON Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

holding on 1 of 2

adjective

as in holding up

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holding on

2 of 2

verb

present participle of hold on

as in remaining

to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in waiting

to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something hold on a minute—it's not your turn

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of holding on

Verb

Schmidt is currently holding on to the collection, though certain items are expected to be auctioned off to further support Stücke and LSVD+. — Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 Argyle, a quiet community holding on to its rural roots, is at a crossroads with rapid growth and traffic congestion driving the need to widen FM 407, which goes through the town in southern Denton County. — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026 Kaity Schultz's husband, Chris, said the road ahead will be long, but their family is holding on to hope. — Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 27 May 2026 Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Now, holding on to Paredes may prove to be a season-saving decision. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 May 2026 Older employees are holding on to roles for longer, delaying the upward movement that typically creates space for new entrants. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026 Amid all that, Varsity Blues — about a Texas high-school football team rebelling against its abusive coach and holding on to one last gasp of glory before graduation — got a little lost. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026 Also, Southern California visits Nebraska with both sides holding on for dear life. — Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding on

Verb

The remaining travelers are from the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, among other nations.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
After the update, College Football Points can no longer be applied in Dynasty or Road to Glory, though any remaining balance stays in the account and can be spent elsewhere in the game.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of remaining

Verb

Hackman Capital’s plan to recoup its investment included continuing to operate Television City as a studio for rent while adding new revenue-generating features.

— Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
After the eggs hatch, the larvae feed for about a week before maturing, dropping to the ground and continuing to develop into an adult fly.

— John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Definition of continuing

Verb

The capital’s traditional Independence Day show had 10,000 shells lasting 18 minutes.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 July 2026
The actress and singer met Skrip by chance while the two were vacationing in Egypt, with Williams later recalling that their unexpected encounter blossomed into a lasting romance.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026