1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
repair work on the bridge was in a holding pattern for the duration of the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the couple has been trapped in this holding pattern for six months, as adoption officials create more red tape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 pattern
With the Federal Reserve in a holding pattern on interest rate policy, borrowing rates for consumer loans and credit cards haven’t budged much in recent months.
—
Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Since the beginning of the war, nearly 800 vessels have been stuck in a holding pattern near the passage, impacting about 20,000 mariners.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
What was meant to be temporary became a holding pattern with good WiFi and subsidized groceries.
—Ali Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Overall, the labor market has been in a holding pattern for much of the last six months, with employers reluctant to add many people to their payrolls but also hesitant to lay people off.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Since the beginning of the war, nearly 800 vessels have been stuck in a holding pattern near the passage, impacting about 20,000 mariners.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
What was meant to be temporary became a holding pattern with good WiFi and subsidized groceries.
—Ali Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Overall, the labor market has been in a holding pattern for much of the last six months, with employers reluctant to add many people to their payrolls but also hesitant to lay people off.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
-
The union announced on Friday that the suspension would continue until at least Tuesday.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
19 June 2026
-
Winkelman, who led the district attorney’s law division beginning in 2018, is appealing the suspension.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Follow evacuation instructions without delay.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
But with just a 60-day window to finalize a deal, any delay leaves less time to negotiate peace.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
As a result, moments of action, suspense, and cinematic spectacle found their way into the film.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
19 June 2026
-
The tale begins in high suspense, with 53-year-old Daphne and her husband, Jonathan, seemingly being stalked while visiting New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
For anyone with a non-Pixel Android phone, the wait will be much longer.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 June 2026
-
The wait ended at Frost Bank Center, where the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and won their first championship since 1973.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics, expressed concerns that officials were underplaying the risk, noting that this is one of the largest cold storage facilities in the state and therefore contains massive amounts of ammonia.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
-
The food bank — which is located on Broadway in Merrillville — lost power Thursday, but Sheaks said the building’s generators turned on, so their cold storage food was fine.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
