as in holding up
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Dissimilar Words
1
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
2
as in waiting
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
hold on a minute—it's not your turn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of holding on
Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Record levels of burnout — a seven-year high, with 61% of employees reporting at least moderate burnout — suggest many are simply holding on.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Tad Smith, the former CEO of Sotheby’s and now partner at 50T Funds, a growth equity firm focused on digital assets, said many wealthy crypto investors are holding on to their bitcoin and other tokens expecting a further run-up in price.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, her hair was trimmed in a shaggy pixie cut; the front just barely holding on to the top of her forehead.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
One of the photos featured Justin sitting in the passenger seat of a car while holding on to Jack's feet, with the toddler standing on his father's lap.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
During their conversation, France speaks about holding on tightly to his little ones.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Howe is still talking about the possibility of holding on to Isak and reintegrating him into the Newcastle squad.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
The Miami secondary settled down in team periods, though, and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was often holding on to the ball or checking it down.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Also, Southern California visits Nebraska with both sides holding on for dear life.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Record levels of burnout — a seven-year high, with 61% of employees reporting at least moderate burnout — suggest many are simply holding on.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Tad Smith, the former CEO of Sotheby’s and now partner at 50T Funds, a growth equity firm focused on digital assets, said many wealthy crypto investors are holding on to their bitcoin and other tokens expecting a further run-up in price.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, her hair was trimmed in a shaggy pixie cut; the front just barely holding on to the top of her forehead.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
One of the photos featured Justin sitting in the passenger seat of a car while holding on to Jack's feet, with the toddler standing on his father's lap.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
During their conversation, France speaks about holding on tightly to his little ones.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Howe is still talking about the possibility of holding on to Isak and reintegrating him into the Newcastle squad.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
The Miami secondary settled down in team periods, though, and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was often holding on to the ball or checking it down.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding on
Verb
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Today a 70% share of Valentino is owned by Mayhoola of Qatar, the remaining 30% by Kering, the French luxury conglomerate, which is in possession of the option to take full ownership by the end of the decade.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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Cole Caufield scored the winner with 15 seconds remaining to lift the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Her absence forced the defense to step up in order to work around a Maryland offense that was almost always in motion – except for 6-3 guard Yarden Garzon, who stationed herself on the perimeter waiting for a teammate to kick out to her for a shot.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
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The two had seen each other earlier in the day at the al-Hadaf office, where Ekberg was waiting to meet Wadie Haddad.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The indictment suggests many others, including unnamed players, had a role in the scheme but weren't charged, and Metcalf said the investigation was continuing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Jan. 2026
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One federal officer is seen continuing to pull a still-struggling Seitz toward the entrance to the federal building.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The declaration was adopted in Paris by the Coalition of the Willing and sets out what leaders said was a framework for lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, set in international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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The image of Gobert fumbling with the ball and having his shot attempt rim out has been a lasting one.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20on. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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