hold off

Definition of hold offnext

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hold off That could pressure the Federal Reserve to hold off longer on its cuts to interest rates. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026 Nasir Whitlock scored 30 points and made two free throws with four seconds left to help Lehigh hold off Boston University 70-67 on Sunday. ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 After being honored for winning the MVP of the All-Star game, Edwards erupted for 40 points, 14 of them coming in the fourth quarter to hold off the pesky Mavericks. Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026 Many airlines trimmed their domestic schedules last year, as economic concerns around shifting tariff policies caused price-sensitive travelers to hold off on buying flights. Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off
Verb
  • Score decorative pillows by Sunbrella and Kelly Clarkson Home that resist moisture and fading, offering comfortable lounge accessories that add a pop of color—and when temperatures drop, there’s even an outdoor-friendly throw blanket.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2026
  • He is charged with multiple counts of battery on an officer, resisting arrest and possession of multiple drugs with intent to sell.
    Abby Dodge, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Still, Maria put off ending the relationship for some time.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Funk and Vater say these tasks are worth putting off until the last threat of freezing temperatures has passed.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Each woman in her family is born with a silver ticket, the gift to turn back time just once.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
  • But the tides have turned back in Mar’s favor.
    Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • If a conversation is going south, table it until next week.
    Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The motion to table the bill was on a thin margin, with five lawmakers in favor and four against.
    Morgan Matzen, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As someone who frequently spends weekends on the lake or traveling to and from children’s sporting tournaments, durable products that can withstand transferring from the truck to the boat and everywhere in between are necessary.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Instead of the fanciest, most high-maintenance option, Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids, recommends choosing washer-safe curtains that can withstand the heat and agitation necessary to get rid of mold and mildew.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • His future wife broke off their engagement in 1960.
    Eric Olson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Last year, his boat got stuck in ice that broke off the nearby glacier.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Narratively, Daniel Craig’s returning lead Benoit Blanc takes a back pew to the conflict between a sensitive priest and a malignant monsignor who has turned away from Jesus’ teachings.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • At the same time, a number of private equity players that have been active in the past, like Eurazeo and Carlyle, are said to be turning away from beauty.
    Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But there have also been recent moments when Eklund has deferred a bit too often, opting for an extra pass when a shot on net would have been the better option.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Health policy experts say the federal government's actions to withhold and defer funding break with normal fraud-handling precedent.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hold off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20off. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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