1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
repair work on the bridge was in a holding pattern for the duration of the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
the couple has been trapped in this holding pattern for six months, as adoption officials create more red tape
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holding pattern
The bill had been held in a procedural holding pattern until bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, motioned to add it to the next available calendar.
—
Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 22 Apr. 2024
One by open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson said Russian ships, likely the Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Grigorovich frigates, the Novorossiysk Kilo-class submarine and oiler Vyazma were in a holding pattern five miles west of the port.
—Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Finding a new job is tough, but employees generally can collect paychecks through this holding pattern.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
Athletic department budget projections are in a holding pattern with the NCAA and major college conferences considering a possible settlement of an antitrust lawsuit.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 22 Apr. 2024
One by open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson said Russian ships, likely the Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Grigorovich frigates, the Novorossiysk Kilo-class submarine and oiler Vyazma were in a holding pattern five miles west of the port.
—Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Finding a new job is tough, but employees generally can collect paychecks through this holding pattern.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
Athletic department budget projections are in a holding pattern with the NCAA and major college conferences considering a possible settlement of an antitrust lawsuit.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
Noun
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Reuters reported in late 2023 that tens of thousands of owners had experienced premature failures of suspension or steering parts since 2016, citing Tesla documents and interviews with customers and former employees.—
Reuters,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
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Callender is still recovering from an adductor injury, Bright has a leg laceration and Alba is serving a rollover suspension from the Champions Cup last year.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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On Monday, the airport saw nearly 400 cancellations and 375 delays.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
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The delay affects reservations from June 15 to July 14.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There’s a great twist at the end, and lots of suspense.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2025
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Are Any of the Single’s Inferno Season 4 Couples Still Together? To preserve the suspense of Single’s Inferno, the contestants are not allowed to share anything about their dating life on social media.—
Kayti Burt,
TIME,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Fortunately, her owner gave birth just a week ago, and the wait was over.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
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Recalling the 2010s when the IRS was understaffed, Williams of the Tax Policy Center, said filers in need of assistance should expect slower refunds as a result of long wait times and worse customer service.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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However, some lily varieties grown in warmer zones will benefit from removing the bulbs from the ground or planter and placing them in cold storage for a time before replanting.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2025
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The Biden administration collaborated with private retail chains to build up cold storage and distribution capacity.—
Mark Zachary Taylor,
The Conversation,
15 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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