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
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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
However, there likely will be no victory laps nor corks popped from the Fed: Inflation may have been on a cooling course, but the Trump administration’s tariffs — the bulk of which are in a temporary holding pattern — threaten to reverse that progress.
—
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Most view the current situation as a temporary holding pattern.
—Rob Day, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Given the Nevada court’s decision, the Murdoch assets return to a holding pattern and likely will be split evenly among the four children.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Congress is in a holding pattern for AI policy as members try to decipher signals from the White House about its plans for the rapidly developing tech.
—Maria Curi, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Most view the current situation as a temporary holding pattern.
—Rob Day, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Given the Nevada court’s decision, the Murdoch assets return to a holding pattern and likely will be split evenly among the four children.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Congress is in a holding pattern for AI policy as members try to decipher signals from the White House about its plans for the rapidly developing tech.
—Maria Curi, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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Her suspension brings fresh uncertainty to the Southeast Asian kingdom, which has been roiled by years of political turbulence and leadership shake-ups.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
1 July 2025
-
The son has failed drug tests, served suspensions and egregiously missed weight while being widely criticized for his intermittent dedication to the sport.—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
Noun
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The Trump budget cuts now mean Europe may have to go it alone, possibly facing further delays.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
30 June 2025
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The Defense Intelligence Agency concluded in a low-confidence initial assessment that the strikes caused only limited delays to Iran's nuclear program and failed to destroy key underground sites.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
Noun
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There wasn’t much suspense on the top pick this year, but the moment was still memorable based on Schaefer’s tears, as the top pick and his family shared the moment while honoring his mom, Jennifer, who passed away in 2024.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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After several weeks of voting, the suspense is over and the new name for the snake will be announced.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 June 2025
Noun
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The program is a partnership between the two agencies and an effort to clear crash investigations more quickly in a region with clogged roads, a ballooning population and often-long wait times after minor accidents.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2025
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And, Burke and the Pate brothers say the final season will be well worth the wait.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
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The supplies were transported from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing point without any reported looting, and the blood and plasma were delivered to Nasser Hospital's cold storage facility for distribution to other medical centers, the organization and the hospital reported.—
Diaa Ostaz,
ABC News,
28 June 2025
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The concept of cold storage in homes dates back thousands of years.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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