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

Nearby bus routes that pass were also delayed or partially suspended.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
For some development perspective, Bridenstine brought up NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which, though also severely delayed for years leading up to its debut, managed a completely successful mission right out of the gate.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 7 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 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of held off (on)

verb

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