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Definitions

hold on

VERB
endure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exist go on hold linger live live on persist remain ride out stay survive sustain
STRONG
abide be bide cling last outlast outlive prevail stand superannuate wear
WEAK
be left be long lived be timeless carry on carry through hang on have no end hold out keep on never say die perdure run on stay on stick to wear on wear well
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease depart die go halt leave quit stop
STRONG
lose move refuse reject
WEAK
discontinue
VERB
go on
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conduct endure go ahead happen last occur persist proceed stay take place
WEAK
act advance bear behave carry on come about comport deport execute hang on keep on persevere ramble
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease discontinue halt leave stop
VERB
hang on
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cling go on grasp hold out persevere persist
WEAK
be tough carry on clutch grip hold fast remain
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease give up leave let go quit stop
VERB
hold out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
withstand
STRONG
last
WEAK
continue suffer
VERB
keep up
Synonyms
WEAK
balance compete contend continue emulate go on keep pace keep step match pace persevere preserve rival run with vie
Antonyms
WEAK
let go neglect
VERB
persevere
Synonyms
STRONGEST
endure keep going persist press on proceed pursue stand firm
STRONG
continue maintain remain
WEAK
be determined be resolved be stubborn carry on go for broke go for it go on hang in hang tough hold fast keep driving keep on leave no stone unturned plug away see it through stay the course stick with it
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease discontinue give up stop
WEAK
be lazy idle leave quit
VERB
persist
Synonyms
STRONGEST
carry on carry over continue endure go on linger persevere prevail pursue recur remain
STRONG
abide grind insist last obtain perseverate repeat strive
WEAK
be resolute be stubborn follow through follow up go all the way go the limit keep up leave no stone unturned perdure see through stick it out stick to guns tough it out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease discontinue give up go halt leave stop
STRONG
forget
WEAK
quit
VERB
sit tight
Synonyms
STRONGEST
stick around
WEAK
anticipate bide one's time cool it fill time hang around hang out hold the phone keep your shirt on lie in wait lie low linger mark time put on hold stall stand by stay put
VERB
stick
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attach catch fix glue hold linger paste remain stay
STRONG
bind bond braze cement clasp cleave cling clog cohere fasten fuse hug jam join lodge persist snag solder unite weld
WEAK
be bogged down become embedded become immobilized cling like ivy freeze to hold fast stay put stick like barnacle stick together
Antonyms
STRONGEST
go halt leave let go release
STRONG
detach disconnect loose loosen open separate unfasten
WEAK
remove unfix unstick
VERB
wait
Synonyms
STRONGEST
await delay expect hang linger remain stand by stay stick around watch
STRONG
abide anticipate bide dally foresee stall tarry
WEAK
bide one's time cool it fill time hang around hang onto your hat hang out hold back hold everything hold the phone hole up keep shirt on lie in wait lie low look for look forward to mark time put on hold save it sit tight sit up for stay up for sweat it
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance go hurry leave rush
STRONG
carry on move
WEAK
carry out do forge forward go ahead

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Private-equity firms often use continuation vehicles to buy companies from older funds, enabling the sponsors to hold on to the businesses while giving their fund investors a chance to cash out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

“Softer spending volumes and signs of further weakness in March suggest consumers can only hold on for so long,” Shelly Kaushik, senior economist at Bank of Montreal Capital Markets, said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Today, it struggles to maintain its hold on the West Coast.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

“It’s extraordinarily important that we try to hold on to our processing capacity that we have now,” he said.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

I hold on to the fabric like my life depends on it.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila