HELD ON Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

held on

verb

past tense of hold on

as in remained

to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state the ancient beliefs still held on in remote mountain villages

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in waited

to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something hold on a minute—it's not your turn

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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 held on The sudden-death playoff was held on the Par 5 18th hole, so advantage Potgieter. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 This $120 area has held on two prior occasions and is being tested again. — Jay Woods, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 Wiping cloths were held on prep tables and not in a chemical sanitizing solution. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 The Bears dominated early and held on for a 31-23 victory on Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. — Rod Beard, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Luckily, his heart held on long enough for doctors to rush him to an operating room and drain the fluid, saving his life. — Amiran Baduashvili, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 Daily Sunrise Stretch classes, often held on the waterfront deck, are complimentary. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 The show was held on a Monday night in its first outing on Prime Video in 2022, and on a Thursday night the next three years. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026 The defense even held on in perhaps the game’s most pivotal moment. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held on

Verb

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack; the attackers’ motive remained unknown.

— Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Israeli and American leaders have been sharpening their threats before elections in both countries, while Iranian leaders have remained defiant.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of remained

Verb

When Weber refused — saying the DOJ had refused to share its methodology and waited until the eleventh hour to act — the DOJ sued.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Darius Garland, microphone in hand, waited patiently at midcourt to speak before the Clippers tipped off their season against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night at Intuit Dome.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of waited

Verb

The chase then continued north before the car headed east on Highway 50 to elude authorities.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Rubio told reporters in the United States on Saturday before his departure that India had diversified its energy sources, but continued to buy substantial volumes of Russian oil, making an immediate shift to other suppliers difficult.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of continued

Verb

Still, questions have persisted about who ordered the interruptions to the satellite internet system that Kyiv has relied on for years to counter Moscow's attacks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Still, questions have persisted about who ordered the interruptions to satellite internet system that Kyiv has relied on for years to counter Moscow’s attacks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026