1
as in to remain
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 to wait
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 hold on
Now, in an about face, when the first grand prix is held on March 16 in Australia, only Aston Martin and McLaren will race with the same two teammates.
—
Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2025
Giovanni Gonzalez is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder in Denver’s Downtown Detention Center, according to jail records.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
Another hearing for his nomination will be held on Wednesday in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee, the panel his uncle, Ted Kennedy, once chaired.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Another flashback, this time to a press conference held on the White House grounds, reveals that Xavier indeed did take a bullet for Cal when a man with a gun infiltrated the event, posing as a journalist.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hold on 
Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2025
Giovanni Gonzalez is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder in Denver’s Downtown Detention Center, according to jail records.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
Another hearing for his nomination will be held on Wednesday in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee, the panel his uncle, Ted Kennedy, once chaired.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Another flashback, this time to a press conference held on the White House grounds, reveals that Xavier indeed did take a bullet for Cal when a man with a gun infiltrated the event, posing as a journalist.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hold on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold on
Verb
-
As Alonso remains unsigned and his suitors dwindle, a surprising team could swoop in to sign him.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Unemployment remains low and inflation has dropped below 3%, but Biden struggled to convince Americans that the turbulent times of the post-Covid era were over.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
And while the rookie Jack Doohan, age 22, races alongside Pierre Gasly, Alpine now has as a reserve driver Franco Colapinto, age 21, who competed in nine races for Williams last year, and sits in the wings waiting, just like Bottas at Mercedes.—
Brad Spurgeon,
Robb Report,
28 Jan. 2025
-
That fanned fears that the huge investments into AI by U.S. firms are unwarranted and a bubble waiting to pop.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Portions of Southern California near Los Angeles remain under a red flag warning as Santa Ana winds continue to blow.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
-
The companies could face some $850 billion in fines for continuing to make the app accessible to Americans.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In the meantime, Trent Reznor has stayed busy scoring films and TV shows with Atticus Ross, including Mank, Soul, and The Killer.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
22 Jan. 2025
-
When winds are whipping and grey clouds are threatening, heading indoors—and staying there—leads to another annual occurrence: peak cuffing season.—
Ariel Okin,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Rubio’s memo reportedly did not provide additional details about the suspension policy, including how long any such suspension periods may last.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Even before the first phase is completed, the fragile cease-fire agreement that has paused 15 months of war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas faces increasingly long odds of lasting or even reaching phase two.—
Tracy Wilkinson,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hold on
Cite this Entry
“Hold on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20on. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share