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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding pattern
Now Arenado and the Cardinals are at the mercy of the industry, trapped in a holding pattern as baseball’s countdown to spring training ticks louder.
—
Katie Woo, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Katie Woo, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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The suspension also does not extend to industry-specific tariffs that Trump imposed on steel, aluminum and auto imports.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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During the three-month suspension, the charity plans to carry out an assessment about whether its teams will be able to return to work.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This is critical because Samsung was falling behind in security updates just as the Android world obsesses about its delays on Android OS upgrades as well.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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After over two hours of rain delay and a full postponement on Saturday, the Red Sox and Cardinals decided to maximize their time together.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Warning: Spoilers ahead for Karma The crime K-drama Karma delivers much of its suspense through a nonlinear narrative.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
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The key to Hitchcock suspense is not about the blood.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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From there, the wait begins — standard processing can take anywhere from three to six months, sometimes more.—
Alex Ashley,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
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The wait is over: Netflix’s long-running dark satirical anthology series, Black Mirror, officially returns on April 10.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 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 15 Apr. 2025.
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