as in to postpone
to assign to a later time
we held off on accepting the invitation in the hopes that something better would come along
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off (on)
Verb
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Clarkson announced her Studio Sessions residency earlier this year but abruptly postponed the run’s first few shows hours before opening night, July 4.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025 -
New grant opportunities and review panels are postponed or canceled, researchers at government laboratories stop collecting and analyzing data, and university projects reliant on federal funding are put at risk.—
Kenneth M. Evans,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to the cuts, you’re legally entitled to a cash refund, not just some future credit.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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According to the flight status report on the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field website Friday, the airport had delayed arrivals from Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and Houston, and canceled flights from Charlotte and Salt Lake City.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Fears of the dotcom bubble repeating can be deferred for now — even Powell suggested so.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
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After a brief discussion to defer a vote for fear of litigation, the board moved forward with the vote that ended in a 4-4 tie.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Packaging Corporation of America is closing a Charlotte-area manufacturing plant, putting over 100 out of work by the end of the year.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Oct. 2025
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The federal government shut down Wednesday after funding laws expired, putting over 750,000 federal employees on furlough and leaving others working without pay.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Hold off (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20off%20%28on%29. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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