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
However, there likely will be no victory laps nor corks popped from the Fed: Inflation may have been on a cooling course, but the Trump administration’s tariffs — the bulk of which are in a temporary holding pattern — threaten to reverse that progress.
—
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Most view the current situation as a temporary holding pattern.
—Rob Day, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Given the Nevada court’s decision, the Murdoch assets return to a holding pattern and likely will be split evenly among the four children.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Congress is in a holding pattern for AI policy as members try to decipher signals from the White House about its plans for the rapidly developing tech.
—Maria Curi, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Most view the current situation as a temporary holding pattern.
—Rob Day, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Given the Nevada court’s decision, the Murdoch assets return to a holding pattern and likely will be split evenly among the four children.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Congress is in a holding pattern for AI policy as members try to decipher signals from the White House about its plans for the rapidly developing tech.
—Maria Curi, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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Santana will still appear for the Pirates as his appeal of the suspension is reviewed by the league.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
-
Suarez is appealing the length of a three-game suspension, while Shildt and Roberts served one-game suspensions on Friday.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The Trump budget cuts now mean Europe may have to go it alone, possibly facing further delays.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
30 June 2025
-
Axiom Space Mission 4, a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, launched on Wednesday after an extended delay due to a long-standing leak issue at the in-orbit research facility.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
29 June 2025
Noun
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There wasn’t much suspense on the top pick this year, but the moment was still memorable based on Schaefer’s tears, as the top pick and his family shared the moment while honoring his mom, Jennifer, who passed away in 2024.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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After several weeks of voting, the suspense is over and the new name for the snake will be announced.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 June 2025
Noun
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And, Burke and the Pate brothers say the final season will be well worth the wait.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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The program is a partnership between the two agencies and an effort to clear crash investigations more quickly in a region with clogged roads, a ballooning population and often-long wait times after minor accidents.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2025
Noun
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Security measures include multi-user approval protocols, cold storage for 96% of funds, and advanced encryption for private keys.—
Roomy Khan,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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