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
Relevance
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
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 holds on
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
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
-
First, since no one actually knows the future, guessing, speculating, or simply making things up remains the state of the art for almost everyone involved in describing it.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Lozano’s camp remains in limbo.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
-
Stocks fell from their records Thursday after oil prices yo-yoed as Wall Street waits to see whether its hopes for a deal to end the Iran war are warranted or just wishful.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
As the recording, which lasts over an hour, continues, Athena’s screams can be heard.—
Jamie Stengle,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
If a super El Niño forms in the coming months and lasts into next year, climate scientists have said that global temperatures in 2027 could spike to record-breaking highs.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The sharp depletion will also mean the market stays vulnerable for longer to future disruptions even after the conflict ends.—
Grant Smith,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
In many cases, scammers reach out but fail to succeed due to timing or suspicion, not because your data stays hidden.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Senior midfielder Peyton Brolley, Mane’s sister, continues to be impressed by her teammate and sibling.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20on. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
