as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
our weekend plans were held in abeyance until we could get a weather forecast
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Recent Examples of abeyance
As employment conditions and other economic variables have been held in abeyance during the trade reset, wage growth has been moderating, dropping to a 3.77 percent increase from 3.83 percent in March, off a recent high of 4.15 percent in November of last year.
—
Tobias Burns, The Hill, 3 June 2025
Lawyers who follow immigration matters said enforcement officers have claimed in other cases to have the authority to temporarily hold bond orders in abeyance.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
For now, though, there first has to be intel on whether Giannis Antetokounmpo could come available, in which case all assets should be held in abeyance.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025
Whereas Ferguson took over at United when Liverpool were still the dominant force in English football, Slot (and even Klopp previously) took residence at Anfield with the club’s fiercest rivals in abeyance.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abeyance
Tobias Burns, The Hill, 3 June 2025
Lawyers who follow immigration matters said enforcement officers have claimed in other cases to have the authority to temporarily hold bond orders in abeyance.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
For now, though, there first has to be intel on whether Giannis Antetokounmpo could come available, in which case all assets should be held in abeyance.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025
Whereas Ferguson took over at United when Liverpool were still the dominant force in English football, Slot (and even Klopp previously) took residence at Anfield with the club’s fiercest rivals in abeyance.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abeyance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abeyance
Noun
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The 30-year-old accepted a voluntary provisional suspension on June 2, which will now expire on April 2, 2026 following the outcome of European football’s governing body.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Lucky for the Eagles, a remorseful Carter won't receive a suspension for his spit.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Fans have become emotionally attached around the world, constantly sharing unboxing videos filled with suspense.—
Dan Gingiss,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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Cover-Up moves between past and present with a fitting sense of discovery and momentousness, Maya Shenfeld’s score pulsing with suspense and at times eerie with foreboding.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abeyance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abeyance. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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