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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding pattern
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.
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Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Finding a new job is tough, but employees generally can collect paychecks through this holding pattern.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
Athletic department budget projections are in a holding pattern with the NCAA and major college conferences considering a possible settlement of an antitrust lawsuit.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
Anxiety about the election has forced businesses of all sizes into an uncomfortable holding pattern that ultimately could negatively impact their bottom lines and the US economy as a whole, experts say.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for holding pattern 
Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Finding a new job is tough, but employees generally can collect paychecks through this holding pattern.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
Athletic department budget projections are in a holding pattern with the NCAA and major college conferences considering a possible settlement of an antitrust lawsuit.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
Anxiety about the election has forced businesses of all sizes into an uncomfortable holding pattern that ultimately could negatively impact their bottom lines and the US economy as a whole, experts say.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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This potential suspension would provide the incoming administration time to explore alternative solutions or find a buyer for TikTok's U.S. operations.Jack Kelly, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
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Listen to this article MIAMI — Perhaps little says as much about the convoluted current relationship between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat as this: The team has reached the end game of its seven-game unpaid suspension of the former All-Star forward with the situation nonetheless ongoing.Ira Winderman, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Complicating the court’s deliberations is that the nine-member court currently only has eight justices, due to a delay in filling vacancies left by retired justices.Helen Regan, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
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This delay adds to a string of setbacks for New Glenn, which has been in development for a decade.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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As captivating as the suspense is the provocative exploration of working with a helpful (yet annoying) colleague who’s not quite human.Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
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This conceit, together with the slow-burn suspense of Teddy and Jeremy opening up to each other, gives the action interest and tenderness that compensate for its straining of credulity.—Dan Stahl (DR2; through Feb. 2.) Dance Aparna Ramaswamy.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Long waits exist for defendants looking for capacity restoration services, and accessing mental healthcare in jail is difficult.Kallie Cox, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
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During the wait, Giuliani posted a video on social media showing a dog named Vinny on the grounds of Trump’s Palm Beach, Fla., estate.Larry Neumeister and Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Those include cold storage and logistic giant Lineage’s $17.8 billion float and private equity group CVC's $15 billion listing.Iain Martin, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
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Actually, the whole system through covid was able to get more cold storage.Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near holding pattern
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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