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
-
All that remains of his apartment is rubble, leaving him and the rest of his family homeless.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Years later, only John (now played by Aramayo) remains with Heather at home, medicated into semi-submission, with little hope of a life of independence or fulfillment.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
-
It is considered more likely that Moreno waits until after a new collective bargaining agreement is reached next year to determine whether to sell.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The battery lasts up to a year and is easily replaceable when that time comes.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Powell’s term as Fed governor expires May 15, but his term as a Fed board member lasts until January 2028.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Both career-wise, and as a group that stays together and whose members love one another?—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
-
For her clients seeking to go beyond the Greek islands, Evyssa Vacations’ Dali organizes exclusive truffle hunting outings in Metsovo, home to the Vlach shepherd community; stays atop a private mountain at the Grand Forest Metsovo; and visits to Meteora monasteries in the nearby Thessaly.—
Yulia Denisyuk,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Model data continues to show a line of showers stretching from the east to the west, developing this afternoon to the north of Pittsburgh.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Article continues below About an hour after each launch, the Falcon 9 upper stage deployed its cargo, sending the satellites on track to join the SpaceX low Earth orbit megaconstellation.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20on. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
