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

Friday’s dinner was a smaller-scale redo of the April 26 black-tie affair that was postponed after a gunman tried to rush into the ballroom of the Washington Hilton hotel.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
His meeting with Vega at the hotel bar later on confirms he’s only postponed and reshaped the violence on the horizon, not prevented it.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Definition of postpone

Verb

That James would also partner with Draymond Green, a former adversary, current friend and ally that delayed his free agency to give the Warriors additional cap space to secure James.

— Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
But the Mavericks would prefer to trade Thompson than buy him out, and that could delay or eliminate this option for Miami unless Thompson pushes for a buyout in the weeks ahead, something that remains a possibility.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

The next day, Blazers president Dewayne Hankins deferred questions through team spokesperson Charles Boyle, who said the city’s depiction of the Blazers is misleading.

— Jason Quick, New York Times, 21 July 2026
And in Minnesota, state officials have been executing a thorough corrective action plan to defray CMS concerns that have led the agency to defer some $260 million in federal money and to threaten future cuts.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hold off (on)

verb

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