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
The ethics inquiry board deliberated on the motion to dismiss and held the motion in abeyance pending the complainant’s witnesses testifying.
—
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Or $158 million for gun violence prevention programs and $800 million to prevent violent crime, money the administration has held in abeyance.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Carroll requested during Wednesday’s meeting that the board either reject the charges or hold them in abeyance until the litigation between The Trap and the city is resolved.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
That threat was only held in abeyance by his signature; the commission needed to ratify it to fully spike the governor’s guns.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abeyance
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Or $158 million for gun violence prevention programs and $800 million to prevent violent crime, money the administration has held in abeyance.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Carroll requested during Wednesday’s meeting that the board either reject the charges or hold them in abeyance until the litigation between The Trap and the city is resolved.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
That threat was only held in abeyance by his signature; the commission needed to ratify it to fully spike the governor’s guns.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abeyance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abeyance
Noun
-
Malick Thiaw, meanwhile, has started 51 out of Newcastle’s last 53 games in all competitions, including a run of 38 successive matches from his full debut on September 21 until February 21, before sitting out the Champions League second-leg tie against Qarabag due to suspension.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Sophisticated traction control, suspension systems, brake setups and bespoke tires support the performance feel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The obvious parallel is with another massive underdog, Gray Davis, who also came from far behind to win the last time a gubernatorial primary held this level of uncertainty and suspense.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
Levinson has fun drawing out the suspense at the border and with the DEA raid.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abeyance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abeyance. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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