holding pattern

noun

Definition of holding patternnext
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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 holding pattern And that again has created a holding pattern throughout the NBA, hardly the best of timing with the league’s 2026-27 signing period opening at noon Monday. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026 Shahidi said flights can normally divert or enter a holding pattern to avoid severe turbulence, but if it can't be seen in advance, there's no chance to prevent an encounter. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 Since then, Fast & Furious has been stuck in a bit of a holding pattern as development on the eleventh installment — expected to be the last in the main series — has hit some speed bumps. — Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026 The central bank has been in a holding pattern this year after lowering benchmark rates by three-quarters of a percentage point during the latter part of 2025. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for holding pattern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding pattern
  1. suspension
  2. delay
  3. suspense
  4. wait
  5. cold storage
Noun
  • On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered an urgent review of gun regulations, including a suspension of new permits to purchase firearms and a review of existing permits, according to a statement from the Government House.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Stern’s decisive response to the Malice at the Palace – the suspensions of the players as well as the punishments meted out to the fans – sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of suspension
Noun
  • Airlines around the world are currently plagued by delays in their efforts to deliver new premium offerings — including increasing passenger demand for privacy, high-tech connectivity and inflight entertainment — to meet the surge in air travel.
    — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The delay will give the city more time to consider employee parking, parking demand and other ways to get downtown.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of delay
Noun
  • With the suspense of a thriller, director Beth de Araújo tells a deeply empathetic family drama about fear and the limits of parental care.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • At 48% on RT don’t expect the greatest thriller ever, but this sounds like a good edge-of-your-seat suspense film.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of suspense
Noun
  • The wait for an Iranian deal with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz dragged on, as the Islamic Republic’s top envoy ruled out direct talks with the US for now.
    — Sara Gharaibeh, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • That can result in potential producers facing long wait times in order to demonstrate proof of concept.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of wait
Noun
  • The victims in this case were OG Bitcoiners who understood the technology and who kept their stash in cold storage.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Most recently, in May 2026, Cal/OSHA issued the company six citations, following an incident during a fire in January 2026 when two workers were reportedly found locked inside a cold storage room that had been chained from the outside.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cold storage

Browse Nearby Words

holding (past)
holding pattern
holding patterns
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Holding pattern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20pattern. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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