HOLD OFF (ON) Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

hold off (on)

verb

Definition of hold off (on)

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off (on)

Verb

The session ended with the decision on de Moraes postponed possibly until mid-December.

— MAURICIO SAVARESE, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
If the launch needs to be postponed, a planning advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration, which licenses commercial rocket launches, suggests another opportunity is available the following day.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of postpone

Verb

Peterson agreed without hesitation to stay on and help with the funeral, delaying the start of his new position by two weeks.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
While some homeowners like to overseed warm-season lawns with a cool-season grass to keep the lawn green all winter, overseeding a permanent warm-season lawn with cool-season grasses may actually weaken it by delaying next spring’s early growth.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday that an autopsy had been performed and the cause and manner of death have been deferred pending additional testing.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
But in a stalemate, the most awkward problems either get ignored or deferred.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of defer

Verb

After losing nearly a stroke and a half to the field on the greens in Round 1, Åberg has gained nearly three strokes putting over the last two days.

— Justin Ray, New York Times, 19 July 2026
The company’s Super+ membership is approaching one million members and has helped customers put over $1 billion back in their pockets.

— Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 7 July 2026

Definition of put over

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hold off

hold off (on)

hold on

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“Hold off (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20off%20%28on%29. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hold off (on)

verb

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