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
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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
-
Spain remains solidly second on the international rankings.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
But for all the miles Jujubee has logged, Boston remains her stomping grounds.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Regarding FedEx's distribution center, customers may experience a slight delay with mail and packages at the facility due to the fire disruption, as the company waits for local firefighters to ensure the area is safe, according to a statement from FedEx.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
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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.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
That's because the virus changes year-to-year and protection only lasts around six months.—
Berly McCoy,
NPR,
10 June 2026
-
No avocado lasts longer than three days.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Saturday night stays mild and muggy, with lows settling into the 70s.—
Damien Lodes,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
If the rest of their rotation stays healthy — that’s a big if — Weathers could shift to the bullpen whenever Max Fried returns from a bone bruise.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Mesa Verde continues to hold great cultural significance for the 27 pueblos and tribes whose ancestors once called the canyons, farms, cliffside and mesa dwellings home or who have other ties to the area.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to work back from a knee injury while Justin Fields takes first-team reps and Xavier Worthy emerges as a standout.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20on. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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