as in holding up
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in remaining
to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state
the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in waiting
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 holding on
Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Kaity Schultz's husband, Chris, said the road ahead will be long, but their family is holding on to hope.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Now, holding on to Paredes may prove to be a season-saving decision.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Older employees are holding on to roles for longer, delaying the upward movement that typically creates space for new entrants.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Amid all that, Varsity Blues — about a Texas high-school football team rebelling against its abusive coach and holding on to one last gasp of glory before graduation — got a little lost.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Also, Southern California visits Nebraska with both sides holding on for dear life.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Tad Smith, the former CEO of Sotheby’s and now partner at 50T Funds, a growth equity firm focused on digital assets, said many wealthy crypto investors are holding on to their bitcoin and other tokens expecting a further run-up in price.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Argyle, a quiet community holding on to its rural roots, is at a crossroads with rapid growth and traffic congestion driving the need to widen FM 407, which goes through the town in southern Denton County.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Kaity Schultz's husband, Chris, said the road ahead will be long, but their family is holding on to hope.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Now, holding on to Paredes may prove to be a season-saving decision.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Older employees are holding on to roles for longer, delaying the upward movement that typically creates space for new entrants.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Amid all that, Varsity Blues — about a Texas high-school football team rebelling against its abusive coach and holding on to one last gasp of glory before graduation — got a little lost.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Also, Southern California visits Nebraska with both sides holding on for dear life.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Tad Smith, the former CEO of Sotheby’s and now partner at 50T Funds, a growth equity firm focused on digital assets, said many wealthy crypto investors are holding on to their bitcoin and other tokens expecting a further run-up in price.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding on
Verb
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The scarcity of remaining tickets for those matches indicates that Kansas City should expect strong attendance throughout the World Cup, even if some matches fall a tiny bit short of a sellout.—
Kellis Robinett,
Kansas City Star,
9 June 2026
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The ballot listing for the remaining candidates would be alphabetical, said Matthew Clyburn, a spokesman for the Secretary of the State’s office, which oversees elections.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Employees had been waiting for an all-clear as hazmat teams worked to confirm the cause.—
Stephen Smith,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of backlash waiting.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Lead drama actress slipped to 63 from 75, continuing a long decline from 109 in 2023 and 114 in 2022.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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The overall work has driven innovations in PTSD treatment, unique needs of women veterans, insomnia, racial disparities in mental health treatment, isolation and trauma, connecting civilians to military community and veteran leadership and continuing service.—
THR Staff,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Sunday marks 100 days since the war in the Middle East began, and the conflict continues to drive substantial volatility across all asset classes in every region of the world as a lasting peace deal remains elusive.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
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Iran has demanded that any lasting truce extend to Lebanon.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20on. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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