HOLDING ON Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

holding on 1 of 2

adjective

as in holding up

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holding on

2 of 2

verb

present participle of hold on

as in remaining

to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in waiting

to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something hold on a minute—it's not your turn

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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 on

Verb

Schmidt is currently holding on to the collection, though certain items are expected to be auctioned off to further support Stücke and LSVD+. — Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 Argyle, a quiet community holding on to its rural roots, is at a crossroads with rapid growth and traffic congestion driving the need to widen FM 407, which goes through the town in southern Denton County. — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026 Kaity Schultz's husband, Chris, said the road ahead will be long, but their family is holding on to hope. — Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 27 May 2026 Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Now, holding on to Paredes may prove to be a season-saving decision. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 May 2026 Older employees are holding on to roles for longer, delaying the upward movement that typically creates space for new entrants. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026 Amid all that, Varsity Blues — about a Texas high-school football team rebelling against its abusive coach and holding on to one last gasp of glory before graduation — got a little lost. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026 Also, Southern California visits Nebraska with both sides holding on for dear life. — Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding on

Verb

The match puts Bay FC at the halfway point of its 2026 season schedule with 15 game remaining.

— Staff report, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
Whether that means the 26-year-old won’t still catch the interest of a Champions League club remains to be seen, but his chances of remaining an Everton player were not as damaged as some feared.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of remaining

Verb

The prospect of attending a raucous three-day party on South Beach comes as disappointing news to Joe’s girlfriend Jennifer (Teyana Taylor), who’s waiting for her own proposal.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 24 July 2026
The wider festival celebrated speed, engineering and extraordinary cars, while Future Lab looked at what might be waiting around the next bend.

— Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of waiting

Verb

Monetized or not, Pfister is continuing to film in public and post videos, at least until his sentencing hearing, scheduled for August 3.

— Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
By balancing strict fiscal management with an aggressive plan to diversify support and expand with new donors, the organization aims to ensure long-term stability while continuing to deliver high-quality artistic programming to Charlotte.

— Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Definition of continuing

Verb

The inner cushioning offers lasting comfort, and the breezy open-toe design makes the pair especially suited for everything from summer travel to casual dinners.

— Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
This reflects a broader shift where athletes seek lasting value through ownership.

— Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026