Synonyms of hanging on to

hanging on to

phrase

present participle of hang on to

1

as in keeping

to continue to have in one's possession or power

You can hang on to that necklace if you like.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• keeping
• retaining
• holding
• holding on to
• preserving
• possessing
• saving
• having
• withholding
• reserving
• protecting
• enjoying
• conserving
• guarding
• owning
• clinging (to)
• managing
• controlling
• ruling
• directing
• boasting
• hugging
• commanding
• detaining
• harboring
• bearing
• cherishing
• treasuring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• giving up
• releasing
• yielding
• handing over
• abandoning
• relinquishing
• surrendering
• giving
• dropping
• contributing
• donating
• ceding
• handing out
• dumping
• declining
• rejecting
• discarding
• losing
• repudiating
• spurning

2

as in having

to keep in one's mind or heart

She hangs on to memories of her traveling days.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• having
• holding
• holding on to
• retaining
• entertaining
• harboring
• nursing
• bearing
• keeping
• cultivating
• maintaining
• cherishing
• sticking (to)
• clinging (to)
• carrying
• remembering
• fostering
• sustaining
• preserving
• cleaving (to)
• hugging
• supporting
• nurturing
• brooding (about or over)
• fixating (on or upon)
• obsessing (about or over)
• treasuring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• forgetting
• dropping
• overlooking
• denying
• disregarding
• neglecting
• refusing
• declining
• rejecting
• giving up
• parting (with)
• throwing out
• abandoning
• repudiating
• discarding
• renouncing
• quitting
• deserting
• forsaking
• disdaining
• scorning
• abjuring
• erasing
• expunging

3

as in clutching

to have or keep in one's hands

Can you hang on to my purse while I use the bathroom?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clutching
• clenching
• gripping
• holding on to
• clinging (to)
• holding
• grabbing
• carrying
• snapping (up)
• taking
• latching (on or onto)
• cradling
• handling
• trapping
• hugging
• capturing
• snatching
• bagging
• seizing
• feeling
• landing
• grasping
• grappling
• hooking
• catching
• clasping
• pawing
• fingering
• nailing
• bearing
• embracing
• snaring
• nabbing
• corralling
• collaring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• giving
• dropping
• handing
• turning over
• handing out
• giving up
• handing over
• unhanding
• rendering
• delivering
• unclasping
• releasing
• yielding
• relinquishing
• ceding

4

as in holding

to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms

Hang on to this rope for support.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• holding
• grasping
• taking
• gripping
• laying hold of
• clasping
• holding on (to)
• clinging (to)
• clenching
• clutching
• catching
• snatching
• seizing
• nabbing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freeing
• dropping
• releasing
• discharging
• liberating
• turning over
• handing over
• giving
• passing
• transmitting
• delivering
• transferring
• handing
• relinquishing
• entrusting
• unhanding
• intrusting