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as in to put off
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold off
The Fed reduced its key rate by a quarter-point in December, but Chair Jerome Powell, at a news conference explaining its decision, said the Fed would probably hold off on further cuts to see how the economy evolves.
—
Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The Fed cut rates three times in 2025, but will likely hold off on more cuts when policymakers meet at the end of January.
—Sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Cedric Coward hit two late 3-pointers and scored 21 points to help the Memphis Grizzlies hold off the Brooklyn Nets 103-98 on Sunday.
—CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Calgary was able to hold off the Penguins for the remainder of the afternoon.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold off
Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The Fed cut rates three times in 2025, but will likely hold off on more cuts when policymakers meet at the end of January.
—Sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Cedric Coward hit two late 3-pointers and scored 21 points to help the Memphis Grizzlies hold off the Brooklyn Nets 103-98 on Sunday.
—CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Calgary was able to hold off the Penguins for the remainder of the afternoon.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off
Verb
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Some pets cannot resist chewing on houseplants.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
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Institutions, subcultures and artists have always found ways to resist homogenization.—
Ahmed Elgammal,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the city has put off issuing citations for parking violations.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Monday's situation at the airport was much calmer, despite below-freezing temperatures that caused the weekend's rainfall to turn back into ice.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Morris shook Crockett’s hand before turning back down the sidewalk.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Wehrli’s motion to table the issue to allow time for a study to be done failed with a 6-3 vote.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
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After hearing from more than 30 speakers among the standing-room-only crowd, the school board voted unanimously to table the discussion and return to it later.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Chicago overcame a 14-point, first-half deficit and also withstood a 13-0 run from Minnesota in the fourth quarter.—
Tom Carothers,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
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Trabuco Hills’ defense was crucial in helping the Mustangs withstand a fourth-quarter rally by Tesoro.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That meant that when the Orion capsule dipped into the atmosphere, gases built up in the heat shield’s interior, causing chunks of the material to break off and cracks to form.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
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Parents should look for a toy that is sturdy and does not have too many small parts that can get lost or broken off.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Adi turned away as the needle found its vein, scanning the other man for a reaction but finding none.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Multiple videos also show a federal agent in a gray jacket reaching into the scuffle empty-handed and emerging with a gun in his right hand, turning away from the man when the first shot is fired, then running across the street as more shots are fired.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Just as financial advisors recommend deferring enough into a 401(k) plan to benefit from your employer's full matching contribution, there is no reason to pass this free money up.—
Jessica Dickler,Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
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Its frequent cost overruns, spending beyond budgets and failure to defer and mitigate spending when possible mean higher rates.—
David S. Lapp,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20off. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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