HELD OFF (ON) Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

held off (on)

verb

past tense of hold off (on)

as in postponed

to assign to a later time we held off on accepting the invitation in the hopes that something better would come along

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for held off (on)

Verb

Amid the dispute, some concerts at the Barn have continued, but several Helm Family Midnight Ramble shows — a special concert series that Helm himself launched in 2004 to stave off foreclosure — have been postponed.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026
Its fundraising concerts, popular affairs in the Hudson Valley known as Midnight Rambles — which have recently featured Amy’s stepfather, Donald Fagen, laying down some Bob Dylan tunes — have been postponed in the interim.

— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 July 2026

Definition of postponed

Verb

Negotiations started months before the expiration date, Acree said, but were delayed in good faith because of new leadership at the helm.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
More than half of Chinese clean-tech investments in the US announced since 2022 have been canceled, paused, or delayed.

— Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of delayed

Verb

In June, Oceanside’s City Council voted unanimously to exempt multiple sites from the law and deferred others from high-density zoning until 2032, relying on carve-outs for areas with existing housing capacity, lack of walking paths and more.

— Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
The mayor’s bond proposal had been deferred three times prior to Thursday’s meeting.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of deferred

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held off

held off (on)

held on

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“Held off (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20off%20%28on%29. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of held off (on)

verb

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