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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding pattern
Inbound flights that had been placed in holding patterns were cleared to land, and no cancellations were reported.
—
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
In Chicago and Portland, judges blocked Guard forces from being deployed onto the streets, leaving them in a holding pattern for weeks.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
The business has been in something of a holding pattern since 2023, when the writers and actors strikes put much of the industry on ice.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Nov. 2025
Michigan's labor force is shrinking That holding pattern is leading to a decline in Michigan's labor force, a measure of people working or actively looking for work, as fewer companies bring on new employees.
—Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
In Chicago and Portland, judges blocked Guard forces from being deployed onto the streets, leaving them in a holding pattern for weeks.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
The business has been in something of a holding pattern since 2023, when the writers and actors strikes put much of the industry on ice.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Nov. 2025
Michigan's labor force is shrinking That holding pattern is leading to a decline in Michigan's labor force, a measure of people working or actively looking for work, as fewer companies bring on new employees.
—Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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Once receiver Rashee Rice returned from a six-game suspension, the Chiefs offense looked nearly unstoppable at times in the middle of the season, which included home blowout wins over the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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He is briefly named in a 2023 Wisconsin Watch and Wisconsin Public Radio investigation into the state's suspension of pandemic-era grant funding for a small business belonging to Roundtree's mother, Cynthia Brown.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Flyers should try to mitigate any headaches from delays and cancellations by avoiding booking flights with layovers, the non-profit US Public Interest Research Group says, and opt to make reservations directly with the airline rather than a third-party website.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Carriers are required to refund customers whose flights are canceled but not to cover costs such as food and hotels unless a delay or cancellation results from a factor within the control of the airlines, according to the Department of Transportation.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Start the new year with a little extra suspense.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Dec. 2025
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And, the heightened level of suspense, coupled with the reader’s invitation to examine the complexities of the human heart, definitely makes this book a must-read.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Get live security wait times, so you’re not stuck in a five‑hour shuffle line that’s already happening.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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While orders come with a four to seven week wait time, the process is highly personalized.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Reliability, flexibility, and fast, on time delivery guide development, with specifications tailored to local markets and customers, from last mile hubs and national distribution to cold storage, production facilities, and data centres.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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On top of this lobster heist that’s grabbing headlines, a load of crabs being shipped from a cold storage facility in Massachusetts also went missing on December 2, The Boston Globe reported.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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