1
as in to remain
to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state
the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to wait
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
hold on a minute—it's not your turn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold on
An impoverished single mother struggles to hold on to her sanity as she’s forced into extreme measures to satisfy her son’s insatiable, inhuman appetite.
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Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, is struggling to hold on to power and will face political headwinds reaching the two-percent mark that his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, promised.
—Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
Progressives will fight to retain their hold on the party, come what may.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
This extension was approved at an extraordinary general meeting held on July 18, 2024.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold on 
Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, is struggling to hold on to power and will face political headwinds reaching the two-percent mark that his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, promised.
—Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
Progressives will fight to retain their hold on the party, come what may.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
This extension was approved at an extraordinary general meeting held on July 18, 2024.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold on
Verb
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Copied Share Eagles miss another kick Rohan Nadkarni Jake Elliott missed a 51-yard kick, and the score remains 7-0 Commanders.Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
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Whether these sweeping changes will be enough to turn the tide remains a point of debate among experts.Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But having to wait for a Milwaukee radio station to go all-Christmas was a holiday season surprise.Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024
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Indiana didn’t wait to reward its coach, handing him a new eight-year, $72 million deal ahead of its showdown versus fellow top-five squad Ohio State and its coach Ryan Day ($10 million).Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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As this incremental progress continues, scientists are racing to figure out why some frog species are more susceptible to Bd than others.Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
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More meaningful, perhaps, is the criticism that reflects the continuing divisions between the party’s left and center that Biden’s presidency papered over — a conflict that seems destined to be revived in the coming months and years.Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Next week: Mountain Vista vs. Fairview, TBA No. 7 Fairview beat No. 10 Chatfield, 42-15: Sophomore QB Ki Ellison threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, and Fairview (11-0) claimed its first playoff victory in five years to stay unbeaten on the season.Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
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Microdosing a new trend to provide a very low dosage to take off the edge but to stay focused.Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But rest assured that the sandals are supremely well built and will last for years.The Editors, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
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The beginning of the first shooting video in one X post captured what sounded like one shot after another initially, until seconds later there was a steady stream of gunfire that appeared to come from multiple guns lasting several minutes.Marquise Francis, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hold on
Cite this Entry
“Hold on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20on. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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