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
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
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Malick Thiaw, meanwhile, has started 51 out of Newcastle’s last 53 games in all competitions, including a run of 38 successive matches from his full debut on September 21 until February 21, before sitting out the Champions League second-leg tie against Qarabag due to suspension.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Sophisticated traction control, suspension systems, brake setups and bespoke tires support the performance feel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Sanfilippo is a fatal pediatric neurodegenerative disorder, with each delay in treatment equaling permanent neurological decline.—
Elise Esposito,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
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Artemis program Due to the Mark 1 issues outlined above, there will either be significant delays to, or the need to restructure the early phases of, the Moon Base program.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Moments later, as his father was wrapped in a silver and gold emergency thermal blanket before being placed on a stretcher, Oun wiped away a flood of tears – a release of more than a week’s worth of agonizing suspense.—
Kocha Olarn,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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Los Angeles didn’t need suspense marketing.—
John Shallman,
Daily News,
30 May 2026
Noun
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As the sun began to set and the celebrations abated, Bukayo Saka emerged from the dressing room with the trophy, striding out onto the field for one final photocall — Arsenal’s longest serving player, who has endured the longest wait, took the opportunity to savour the moment.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
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More people are flying this year than last Memorial Day, per AAA, which could mean longer lines and further waits at some airports.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Noun
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Joshua Newton, who conducted research on eDNA for Curtin University’s Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, said challenges also include having cold storage to preserve DNA samples and ensuring samples are not contaminated.—
Evelyne Musambi,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
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The aforementioned fridge provides 176 liters of cold storage and includes a drawer freezer.—
C.C. Weiss
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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