HANGING ON Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

hanging on

verb

present participle of hang on

as in keeping up

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in holding on

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanging on

Verb

Start by keeping up with bills and financial obligations that remain payable after bankruptcy.

— Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Most older adults believe the COLA isn’t adequately keeping up with inflation, according to an AARP poll from September.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of keeping up

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, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of holding on

Verb

Jaeger LeCoultre is carrying on the tradition of dropping a new Master Ultra Thin Moon each fall.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026
There’s been a lot of talk about carrying on her work, especially during these times when people feel like some of it has been eroded.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of carrying on

Verb

As the daughter of two classical singers, she was used to hanging around backstage and going along with the rhythm of theatrical days.

— Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Dorothy recalls patrons hanging around the shop for hours, running her hands along a rainbow of silk ties, and picking up tailor pins with her cousins to pass the time.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hanging around

Verb

His hands hovered waist high, eyes watching the downturning arcs of his teammates’ shots, waiting for a pass that never came.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
In the meantime, renters and would-be buyers are left wanting and waiting for more and better inventory to end the nonstop searching and bidding wars.

— Dave Carlin, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of waiting

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.

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hanging on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanging%20on. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hanging on

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes