1
as in suspensions
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 delays
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
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Recent Examples of holding patterns
So should investors expect these trades to build up momentum again, or are these holding patterns set to continue?
—
Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
Some of the most common causes for the delays were the gate not being ready, taxiway congestion, holding patterns, runway queues, crew or equipment delay and weather restrictions.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
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
Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
Some of the most common causes for the delays were the gate not being ready, taxiway congestion, holding patterns, runway queues, crew or equipment delay and weather restrictions.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding patterns
Noun
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Midfielders Yannick Bright and Telasco Segovia are back after serving suspensions last weekend.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
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But for the residents and business-owners, the possibility of another set of G train outage evoked frustration after two years of service suspensions while crews worked to upgrade the signaling system on the Crosstown Line.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Even as the county fights to preserve services amid ongoing fiscal struggles, the budget cuts could lead to closures in behavioral health clinics and potential delays to some healthcare.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
2 May 2026
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But the program has faced nearly a decade of delays from a series of issues, including a critical subcontractor’s bankruptcy and the difficulty of finding and retaining qualified staff who could be awarded high-level security clearances.—
Jonathan J. Cooper,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Insurance coverage for mental illnesses further complicates the problem of consistent care because the number of visits to mental health professionals are usually limited, and there are often long waits to see providers.—
Jeffrey Freedman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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When families flocked to Yosemite National Park during their recent spring breaks, some met two-hour waits at the entrance gates.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding patterns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20patterns. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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