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

Veronica Burton scored 19 of her 25 points in the first half as Golden State quickly built a big lead and also dished out eight assists, Gabby Williams added 25 points, and the Valkyries held off the Phoenix Mercury for an 87-81 win Tuesday night. —ABC News, 10 June 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday afternoon said Israel would hold off on further strikes against Iran, provided the fire is contained on both sides. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 June 2026

Then, the Patriots rallied for six unanswered goals and held off a late charge from the Lions to claim a 6-5 victory and return to the Div. —Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026

Axios, citing two Israeli officials, said Israel was preparing for the biggest wave of strikes on Iran since April before Netanyahu agreed to hold off. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 8 June 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