HELD OFF Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

held off

verb

past tense of hold off

as in turned back

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Dissimilar Words

as in put off

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held off

Verb

Among those rescued was Chinese tourist Weiwei Zhao, who had been trekking with a friend but turned back because of heavy snowfall.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
The two giggled momentarily before Quiñonez turned back and answered candidly.

— Jake McCreven, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of turned back

Verb

Perez put off college to take over her parents' landscaping business and care for her family in their absence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
MonthiraYodtiwong/Getty Images There are some financial conversations families can put off without much consequence, but a discussion about end-of-life plans with aging family members isn't necessarily one of them.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of put off

Verb

Many of the nation’s most elite institutions have recently turned away from test-blind or test-optional admission policies.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The property can house up to 250 animals, some of which may require specialized care or may have illnesses or specific diseases that would, in most cases, cause them to be euthanized or turned away.

— Rashad Williams, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of turned away

Verb

The turning point came on the Chiefs’ second drive, when Kenneth Walker broke off a 33-yard touchdown run to extend Kansas City’s lead to 9-0.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
But five fraternities facing sanctions broke off from the university rather than getting into compliance.

— Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of broke off

Verb

The companies furthermore threatened to invoke eminent domain to simply take land if the community resisted.

— Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Gilder resisted officers during a traffic stop and swallowed several items as he was taken into custody, according to the affidavit.

— Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of resisted

Verb

Highlands has proposed repaying the state through deductions from future state funding, but the bankruptcy court deferred a decision on that proposal until the final hearing in November.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
The superstar who deferred most of his record 10-year, $700-million salary so as to enable — to obligate — the Dodgers to build a championship roster around him reached base in three of his four plate appearances Wednesday.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of deferred

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held (in)

held off

held off (on)

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“Held off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20off. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of held off

verb

Example Sentences

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