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
In the latest development, on June 27, 2025, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a supplementary award in favor of Pakistan, arguing that India’s holding of the treaty in abeyance did not affect its jurisdiction over the case.
—
Pintu Kumar Mahla, The Conversation, 16 July 2025
The bar will close for 30 days, permanently surrender its 4 a.m. license, and pay a $10,000 fine, with an additional $31,000 held in abeyance.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for abeyance
Pintu Kumar Mahla, The Conversation, 16 July 2025
The bar will close for 30 days, permanently surrender its 4 a.m. license, and pay a $10,000 fine, with an additional $31,000 held in abeyance.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for abeyance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abeyance
Noun
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In 2021, Richardson tested positive for THC, which is the chemical in marijuana, during a post-race drug test, giving her a 30-day suspension and ineligibility for the Tokyo Olympics.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
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The Penguins had been off since sweeping a four-game trip with a victory over Vancouver on Sunday, with forward Bryan Rust starting a three-game suspension for a check to Canucks forward Brock Boeser's head.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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It all sticks — every Dutch angle, inventively silly camera placement, and enthusiastic heightening of high-noon suspense.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
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Nominally in the spirit of ’90s from-hell thrillers, The Patient is a riveting character drama that offers some queasy white-knuckle suspense on the way to a thrilling climax.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abeyance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abeyance. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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