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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 held on As the Times report noted, the Met Gala, an extravagant event held in tandem with the Costume Institute’s spring show, is typically held on the first Monday in May. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Alexander Quimbiamba-Albaran, 30, of Waterbury was charged with second-degree breach of peace and was also held on a $500 bond pending an arraignment hearing Monday. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 The draw for the Doubles competitions will be held on September 1. — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 But from a brand perspective, YSL Beauty took the number-one spot in 2025 and has held on to it since. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 The two sides had been due to meet Monday for preliminary discussions for a possible settlement, but Bonta called off the meeting late Sunday, after accusing Paramount of misrepresenting details of an earlier meeting held on Friday. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 The team didn’t address the position in the draft or free agency, but the organization held on to tackle Cody Ford — who has lost 40 pounds — as a backup while giving him a pay cut. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Ewing cut down another from left field moments later, and the New York Mets held on for a 2-1 victory Monday night. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Alba Caño and Amanda Gutierres each scored in the second half to pull Boston (5-10-5) within one, but Portland (10-6-4) held on in the highest-scoring NWSL match of the season. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held on

Verb

The department later confirmed that the area was secure and that no further threat to the public remained.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
The architecture has remained in place as ProLogium has changed electrolyte chemistry and active materials.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of remained

Verb

The judge issued his ruling at the conclusion of a court session Tuesday, which continued the preliminary hearing that was largely held over a week in early July before a nearly two-month recess to prepare for closing arguments.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
The debate about debates Despite a debate being scheduled, Jackson and Bottoms have continued to attack one another over the debate schedule and timeline, each saying the other is shying away from questions of accountability.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of continued

Verb

Festivities for the union lasted three days amid celebrations around the country in honor of the pair.

— James Frater, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
So the question now is this war in Iran, of course, hasn't lasted nearly as long as Vietnam, six months versus more than 19 years, hasn't involved the deployment of the kind of forces that LBJ deployed in Vietnam at the peak more than 500,000.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lasted

Verb

With ongoing advocacy and reform, football not only persisted in colleges, but spread across the population and deepened its social, political, economic, and emotional stakes, carrying along with it the problem of traumatic brain injury.

— Emily Harrison, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026
The chaos persisted for hours late into Saturday as the presidential guard and other loyalist forces secured the air base and the presidency, analysts and diplomats said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026