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
After being in a holding pattern for over a week, the Sparta II has finally been allowed to dock at Tarth's to evacuate the Russian equipment from the base.
—
Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
It’s expected to pursue policies that some economists warn could accelerate inflation and ultimately force the Fed into a holding pattern on interest rates.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
In aviation, real-time data has enabled airports to significantly reduce the need for holding patterns, saving time and fuel, and reducing environmental impact.
—Don Murray, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
When everything is familiar, our brains go into a kind of holding pattern.
—Janice Kaplan, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
It’s expected to pursue policies that some economists warn could accelerate inflation and ultimately force the Fed into a holding pattern on interest rates.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
In aviation, real-time data has enabled airports to significantly reduce the need for holding patterns, saving time and fuel, and reducing environmental impact.
—Don Murray, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
When everything is familiar, our brains go into a kind of holding pattern.
—Janice Kaplan, TIME, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
-
Aaron Ekblad’s 20-game PED suspension threw a wrench in the works, though, pushing Jones back up the lineup for the last chunk of the regular season.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
There are cutting-edge driver-in-the-loop simulators, shaker rigs for punishing suspension, and even an entire gym for drivers to work on their fitness.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
The game resumed after the delay, and the Pirates beat the Cubs 4-3.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
The delay in these markup hearings leaves little time for passage.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
The missing logic is very evident in the thriller that also fails to offer thrills and suspense.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
The audience is at risk of being too many steps ahead of the action, and the time between McRobbie’s first appearance and the official onscreen reveal is too long to keep up the appropriate amount of suspense.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
At this point, the lengthy wait times between games are inherent to their appeal (and frustration).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
-
The technology is aimed at streamlining beverage and food preparation, shortening wait times, and helping baristas deal with the daily flood of orders, including the speciality concoctions the coffee chain has become known for, according to Starbucks.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Funds from investors using the program often go to Regional Centers, which distribute money into different projects, from highway construction to resort hotels to cold storage facilities in rural areas.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
-
This incident highlights a growing trend in crypto hacks—targeting multi-sig cold storage solutions through increasingly sophisticated means.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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