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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding patterns
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
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
-
With defeats, injuries and suspensions piling up, Tottenham’s domestic campaign is spinning out of control.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Morant has not played more than 67 games in any of his six seasons because of injuries and suspensions.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The hazardous conditions could make travel difficult with delays and chain controls.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The Justice Department has come under criticism for delays in the release of information, failing to redact the personal information and photos of victims and not releasing the entire 6 million documents collected in relation to Epstein.—
Stephen Groves,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Navigating rigid work schedules, complex appointment systems, and long waits at the doctor’s office offers a whole other set of issues.—
Dan Amos,
Time,
4 Feb. 2026
-
At that pace, long waits are facing most of the roughly 20,000 sick and wounded people who Gaza’s Health Ministry has said need treatment abroad.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding patterns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20patterns. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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