hang on

verb

Definition of hang onnext
1
as in to carry on

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in to hold on

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Dissimilar 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 hang on Gene therapies and virtual-reality programs—which staged daily tasks, such as placing a fork on a plate, in high-contrast black-and-white—were helping adults with low vision hang on to what remained of their sight. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026 San José State transfer Leland Smith gives Iamaleava a big-bodied receiver that can make contested catches on the boundaries or hang on to balls over the middle of the field. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Some did manage to hang on, especially on the two blocks that were done first, in particular the bars Lost Boy Dry Goods and Over Under, longtime street stalwarts. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 But so many of them hang on, in a city that, against all odds, continues to hang on to everything human and real and perhaps just a bit crazy. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hang on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hang on
  1. carry on
  2. hold on
  3. keep up
  4. hang around
  5. dig in
  6. wait
  7. persevere
  8. stick around
Verb
  • Part of the frustration and fascination of these climbing docs is that the filmmakers can never quite answer the question of why these people — tenacious, but undoubtedly masochistic — carry on and up the mountain again and again.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Later that night, there’s more fallout from recent events — albeit of a more therapeutic kind — when Keeley and Rebecca share their problems while watching Bridesmaids before ending the night determined to carry on.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of carry on
Verb
  • 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
  • The score provided the decisive margin as North Side held on for the 10-2 victory.
    — Raul Avila, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of hold on
Verb
  • Casual streams that rely on flipping the camera on won’t keep up as more sellers adopt her playbook.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The papers served to underline how central banks are struggling to keep up with challenges introduced by technology.
    — Maria Eloisa Capurro, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of keep up
Verb
  • In the logic of edutainment, random children hanging around in the company of a plush creature is nothing noteworthy.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hartford has battled injuries to many of its key players but treaded water at 5-9-5 (W-D-L) and hung around the playoff line.
    — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hang around
Verb
  • With everyone primed to dig in, only one-third of my students’ time with me is devoted to classic lecturing.
    — Jason Corso, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
  • By the end of the day, Khālid had fortified the palace and was prepared to dig in and fight.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of dig in
Verb
  • Palace matched Sunderland’s agreement with the French side and, at one stage, both clubs had a plane waiting at Lyon’s airport to bring Fofana to England.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of waiting for that person to issue a command, OlloNi could approach and initiate an interaction.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of wait
Verb
  • Mansour persevered, turning out bright canvases of olive groves and peasants that brought to mind his former home and were well received.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026
  • For this filmmaking couple, reaching maturity as artists forged in the complex context of a modern colony hinges on acknowledging their limitations and still persevering.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of persevere
Verb
  • But O’Connell, who serves somewhat as an in-between, gets to stick around as well.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Imperfect beauty was having a moment a year ago when CNN questioned whether the tired-girl look would stick around.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of stick around

Browse Nearby Words

hangmen
hang on
hang one on
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Cite this Entry

“Hang on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hang%20on. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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