1
as in remains
to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state
the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in waits
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
hold on a minute—it's not your turn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holds on
House Bill 945 establishes new regulations for cryptocurrency kiosks and allows financial institutions to place temporary holds on transactions when elder financial exploitation is suspected.
—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Nava’s specific approach to reining in rogue behavior by AI agents is the creation of an escrow service that holds on to funds until an agent proposes a transaction.
—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
The camera holds on them mid-ascent.
—
Jp Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
Nava’s specific approach to reining in rogue behavior by AI agents is the creation of an escrow service that holds on to funds until an agent proposes a transaction.
—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
The camera holds on them mid-ascent.
—
Jp Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds on
Verb
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But the fear of being snatched by ICE agents remains, Neel said.
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But much of the repressive and corrupt structure in place during Maduro’s reign remains, with no concrete date set for democratic presidential elections.
Verb
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Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
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On the walls, a few pots hang from a copper rod, a dinner bell waits to be jingled, and an ancient clock keeps time.
Verb
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The reduced rate, which serves as an incentive to get more borrowers to enroll in auto pay, lasts through June 30, 2028.
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For one thing, beetle colonies span all life stages and hence require complex containment; superworm cleaning only requires the larval stage, which lasts 10–12 weeks compared to just five to seven weeks for the beetles.
Verb
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The posh pup has a home in the lobby and outside the front entrance, and sits (and stays) at the ready for belly rubs.
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Any python-nabbing excursion requires adequate prep work to ensure everyone stays safe—and actually hunts the proper animals.
Verb
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Gansey will likely look to address the backcourt and wing positions in his next moves as NBA free agency continues.
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Still, by adding Brown, the 76ers won’t have to be as concerned if Embiid’s health continues to be an issue.
Cite this Entry
“Holds on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20on. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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