held on
Refused to release
Held on is the past tense of hold on, carrying its meanings into completed action.
Someone held on to a railing for support, or held on to hope despite setbacks.
It can describe waiting: She held on while they transferred her call.
Or persisting through difficulty: The team held on for a narrow victory.
He held on to his childhood toys for decades.
- enduredBore without yielding
- perseveredContinued despite difficulty
- graspedClutched or understood
- lastedRemained through time
- clutchedHeld firmly in hand
persisted · kept faith · took control · coped · weathered · gripped · white-knuckled · for dear life · maintained · dug in · seized · lingered · withstood · anchored · braved · clasped · sustained · latched
held onlet go
Cease holding something
released · dropped · relinquished · unclenched · slipped
held ongave up
Abandoned an attempt
surrendered · quit · gave in · capitulated · succumbed
held ongave up
Abandoned an attempt
surrendered · relinquished · let go · parted with · forfeited
held, hold, on, holds, holding, holdings, holder, holders, holdout