hold off

verb

held off; holding off; holds off

transitive verb

1

: to block from an objective : delay

2

: to defer action on : postpone

hold off a decision

3

: to fight to a standoff : withstand

intransitive verb

: to defer or temporarily stop doing something

Synonyms of hold off

• postpone
• delay
• defer
• put over

Examples of hold off in a Sentence

we held off on accepting the invitation in the hopes that something better would come along

Recent Examples on the Web

Progressive lawmakers had discussed bringing a similar proposal last year but held off. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026

Senior Cecelia Levrault scored a game-high 20 points while freshman sensation Kyla Claro added 19 as the Lakers won for the 20th time in 21 games, holding off a pesky Central Catholic team, 52-43, to win the Spartan Classic. —Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026

Velzeboer passed Sarault with three laps to go and held off challenges, sticking her right skate over the line and raising both arms aloft. —ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026

The 35-year-old Portland guard held off Booker in the tremendously exciting final, winning 29-27 when Booker missed his final three shots. —Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for hold off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

hold off

verb

1

: to keep away : withstand

held off the attack

2

: postpone, delay

decided to hold off on the decision

will hold off production for the summer