HOLDING ON Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

holding on 1 of 2

adjective

as in holding up

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holding on

2 of 2

verb

present participle of hold on

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of holding on

Verb

Fixed on a mobile rig that will at times careen and whoosh across the stage when not otherwise holding on Winter, Anderson’s camera catches the expressionism and chiaroscuro of stage lights illuminating and fading off the singer’s face. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026 Walter didn’t publicly step down from any roles after the stroke, holding on to control of a vast portfolio. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 There’s nothing wrong with holding on to childhood and being a little immature from time to time. — Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Aug. 2026 That puts me in the same boat as many millennials and Gen Zers holding on to the family phone plan, one of their last financial ties to their parents. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2026 Schmidt is currently holding on to the collection, though certain items are expected to be auctioned off to further support Stücke and LSVD+. — Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding on

Verb

The Hawks ruled out veteran guard CJ McCollum with a nose contusion ahead of Monday night’s game, opening the door for the rookie guard to run with the remaining available starters.

— Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Hope arose that the Daryl Powell settlement in January would lead to a quick resolution of the remaining lawsuits filed against the iconic Manhattan church.

— Luke Cyphers, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of remaining

Verb

Cityside, guests can head to the thumping heart of Austin nightlife where the Live Music Capital of the World always has a new favorite act and dance floor to cut up waiting just around the corner.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Expect the usual book-length liner notes typical to everything Feldman oversees, which are just part of what make these worth picking up in LP format for RSD and not waiting for the CD edition to follow.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of waiting

Verb

Elfe quit her job in luxury retail and enrolled in a teacher assistant certification program at the center in 2022, before continuing her education in its apprenticeship program.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
In early November the lake sat quiet, except for the moments when scores of Canada geese would descend to the surface to rest before continuing their journey south.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of continuing

Verb

The first five conditions describe any lasting affectionate bond, such as a close friendship.

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
In a room, the large array lowered humidity from 38 to 32 percent in 15 minutes, though that is only an early result, not proof of lasting capacity.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026