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 Markets expect the Fed to hold off on a rate hike in October but then to institute another quarter percentage point increase in December. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 Assembly Republican Leader Alexandra Macedo, R-Tulare, did not explicitly say that the governor should hold off on commuting sentences, but urged him to consider the parents who had to bury their children before making the decision. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Purdy threw a touchdown pass, Christian McCaffrey ran for two scores and the 49ers made two late stops to hold off the Washington Commanders 23-17 on Monday night for their sixth straight win to open the season. — CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Raman and four other council members also appeared personally before the county supervisors asking them to hold off. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off
Verb
  • Retail is a recent addition for a designer who long resisted it.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In July 2025, Bennett and another man were charged with resisting arrest after a confrontation with LAPD officers at a candlelight vigil a few blocks from where Foreman was killed this year.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • All of this means Owens has had to take shifts in the kitchen, putting off her front-of-house duties and paperwork to her evenings and days off.
    — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But anything governing those players will likely get put off until after the labor dispute is resolved.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Activists say their new constitutional amendment will help ensure that Virginia stays a safe haven for access, even if the state turns back to Republican control in future years.
    — Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 4 Nov. 2026
  • However, investors on Tuesday are turning back to semiconductors and power, electrical equipment, and liquid cooling providers like Eaton , which posted strong quarterly results and raised its full-year outlook.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The commission unanimously voted to table an amendment changing the Unincorporated Lake County Unified Development Ordinance at its Wednesday evening meeting.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Deadline understands that the company has teamed up with Screen Scotland to table the proposal.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Tests showed that the structure could withstand more than 100 million operating cycles.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Jayden Daniels has been playing some good football, not withstanding his brain cramp against the Giants.
    — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The pieces that broke off the plane were probably a byproduct of the nosedive, not the cause, aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti told The Associated Press.
    — Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Rams came out strong to start the second half, Corum breaking off a 23-yard touchdown run for a 17-9 lead.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Republicans, however, could take advantage of Newsom’s action and cast him as a soft-on-crime liberal who is out of touch with most Americans, which risks turning away moderate voters.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • He was cleared to land on a runway there, but the plane turned away from the runway while just north of the airport and continued to drop in the air while flying south past the airport, the NTSB report said.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Prop 40 includes provisions that would allow qualifying taxpayers with illiquid wealth to defer payments, but Rauh argues those protections are inadequate.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The deal calls for $35 million annual salaries, including $11 million deferred each year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 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 11 Nov. 2026.

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