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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Despite challenges, including a PED suspension that forced him to miss the entire 2021 season while with the Mets, Canó’s passion for the game remains undiminished.—
Denny Alfonso,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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The president's retaliative criticism, and subsequent reaction from corporations, have led to a wave of backlash from notable figures in Hollywood, who warn how Kimmel's suspension and the cancellation ofThe Late Show With Stephen Colbert are signs of an attack on free speech.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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That builds tension and suspense.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Based on Mick Herron's novel, the author whose work inspired Apple's Emmy-winning Slow Horses, Down Cemetery Road blends suspense and dark humor in its story of two women (Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson) who navigate a dangerous investigation filled with shocking twists and high-stakes pursuits.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abeyance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abeyance. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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