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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding pattern
This holding pattern often manifests in subtle yet consequential ways.
—
Ginni Saraswati, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Multiple federal agencies trying to implement sweeping changes and reductions sought by the Trump administration have been in a holding pattern as legal challenges make their way through the courts.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 25 June 2025
Like other economic factors, including capital expenditures and consumer spending levels, employment conditions are in a holding pattern as companies wait to see where U.S. tariff policy lands amid President Trump’s ongoing trade war and his fragile truce with top trading partner China.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 3 June 2025
Normally her social media is overwhelmed by memes about missing home and her mother, two topics weighing on her heart over the seven months she was stuck in a migratory holding pattern in Mexico City, where The Christian Science Monitor first met her.
—Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Ginni Saraswati, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Multiple federal agencies trying to implement sweeping changes and reductions sought by the Trump administration have been in a holding pattern as legal challenges make their way through the courts.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 25 June 2025
Like other economic factors, including capital expenditures and consumer spending levels, employment conditions are in a holding pattern as companies wait to see where U.S. tariff policy lands amid President Trump’s ongoing trade war and his fragile truce with top trading partner China.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 3 June 2025
Normally her social media is overwhelmed by memes about missing home and her mother, two topics weighing on her heart over the seven months she was stuck in a migratory holding pattern in Mexico City, where The Christian Science Monitor first met her.
—Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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Other modifications include a Ford racing supercharger that raises the horsepower to 624, three-piece wheels, a custom audio system and upgraded suspension components.—
Keenan Thompson,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Addison will be permitted to practice and play in exhibition games before the suspension kicks in for games against Chicago, Atlanta and Cincinnati.—
Dave Campbell,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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First approved by the Rancho Santa Fe Association back in 2017 the project received an extension four years ago after facing delays in the county process, compounded by the pandemic.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
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The timeline for commercial production remains uncertain and subject to indefinite delays due to technical, financial, and regulatory hurdles.—
Kevin Green,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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And while he’s drawn to dark genres, Cabezas also values the element of surprise and suspense.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Constructed as a documentary shot by two teen siblings visiting their estranged grandparents, The Visit refracts suspense and comedy through a child’s-eye perspective, deviously blurring the boundary between home video and Grimm fairy tale.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
29 July 2025
Noun
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In fact, as reported by The Lund Report, 30% of patients have left an appointment due to long waits, and 20% have switched doctors for the same reason.—
Ankit Kumar Agarwal,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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While the promotion has been popular on social media, some customers have reported long wait times and pizzas not meeting expectations.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The complex will include a cold chain processing facility that provides cold storage, warehousing, distribution and other services for perishable goods.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
22 July 2025
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Although the bacterium can contaminate many types of food, cheeses or deli meats that are kept in cold storage for long periods in stores or at home are a place where listeria can keep growing.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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