1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
repair work on the bridge was in a holding pattern for the duration of the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the couple has been trapped in this holding pattern for six months, as adoption officials create more red tape
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding pattern
Nowadays, Dodge offers just two cars for sale: the Hornet and Durango SUVs, though that is somewhat of a holding pattern before the brand goes electric with cars like the new Charger.
—
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2025
When everything is familiar, our brains go into a kind of holding pattern.
—Janice Kaplan, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025
The bill had been held in a procedural holding pattern until bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, motioned to add it to the next available calendar.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 22 Apr. 2024
One by open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson said Russian ships, likely the Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Grigorovich frigates, the Novorossiysk Kilo-class submarine and oiler Vyazma were in a holding pattern five miles west of the port.
—Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2025
When everything is familiar, our brains go into a kind of holding pattern.
—Janice Kaplan, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025
The bill had been held in a procedural holding pattern until bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, motioned to add it to the next available calendar.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 22 Apr. 2024
One by open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson said Russian ships, likely the Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Grigorovich frigates, the Novorossiysk Kilo-class submarine and oiler Vyazma were in a holding pattern five miles west of the port.
—Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 12 shots for the Panthers, who continue to play without key stars Matthew Tkachuk (groin), Aaron Ekblad (suspension) and recent acquisition Brad Marchand (upper-body injury).—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2025
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The first group of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea among others, would be set for a full visa suspension.—
Humeyra Pamuk,
USA TODAY,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Many brands still use spreadsheets, emails and phone calls to manage some aspects of logistics, leading to inefficiencies and delays.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Mar. 2025
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Staff reductions of this magnitude risk prolonging processing delays and increasing wait times for taxpayer support—disproportionately harming working families who rely on prompt refunds and accessible services.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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His responses to unseen phenomena transform everyday domestic spaces into realms of suspense and terror.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, Moura, who plays Manny, opened up about the process of developing his character’s dynamic with Henry, revealing how their chemistry—both on and off-screen—helped elevate the series’ suspense and emotional core.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Even Millie Bobby Brown, in a joke interview with her 2024 self, mentioned the long wait.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2025
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Ironically, after such a long wait for Android 15 Samsung Galaxy owners may not have that long to enjoy it — if the Android 15 delays are not repeated, of course.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As beeping forklifts move pallets of fresh produce from cold storage to waiting 18-wheel trailers, Greene describes a possible nightmare scenario if there are cuts to SNAP, job losses, and disruptions to the USDA’s emergency food assistance programs.—
Rosa Flores,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
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However, some lily varieties grown in warmer zones will benefit from removing the bulbs from the ground or planter and placing them in cold storage for a time before replanting.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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