1
as in turned back
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2
as in put off
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held off
Verb
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Instead, Flacco turned back the clock with a vintage performance, repeatedly connecting with Chase and Higgins on slants and crossers.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025 -
Ellis then turned back to Julian and stabbed him in the back.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although observing from a rural spot is ideal, people who can’t escape the city shouldn’t be put off, says Debra Ceravolo, an astrophotographer who images the sky from southern British Columbia.—
Dan Falk,
Scientific American,
17 Oct. 2025
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Encouraging firms to allocate more shares for retail investors risks putting off the foreign institutions Saudi Arabia is simultaneously trying to woo.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Chicago Tribune reported at the time that although some families expressed interest in attending the execution, they were turned away ahead of time.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Because visas are capped at 85,000 annually, with some exemptions, thousands of talented workers get turned away every year simply for lack of better luck.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On the ensuing drive, Christian Simmons broke off a 32-yard touchdown run.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
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Part of the helicopter broke off before the crash.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Epstein has resisted the obvious move to monetize it.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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In 10 other cases, according to the review, people resisted arrest, some fleeing on foot, while in one instance, an agent briefly clung to the side of a moving car.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Trail Blazers deferred comment to the NBA and announced that an assistant coach, Tiago Splitter, would assume head coaching responsibilities.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
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Any doubts about the team’s decision should be deferred after what Williams put on display against the Commanders.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her parents were opposed to the Russian occupation but too frightened to talk about it.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
19 Oct. 2025
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Markus opposed lobbying efforts to expand the law to children under the age of 18.—
Asra Q. Nomani,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Charles and Camilla were supposed to pay a state visit to the Vatican in early April, but the trip was postponed over Pope Francis’ poor health.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, eight days after Apple postponed The Savant, FBI director Kash Patel shuttered the very real (though, secretive) program — a partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) — on which the series (and the Cosmopolitan story) is based.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Held off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20off. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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