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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off (on)
Verb
  • That court date has since been postponed, per NBC.
    Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The opening of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Nigeria, originally slated for November 11, has been postponed after a group of some twenty protesters disrupted a preview event on November 9.
    News Desk, Artforum, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • Many airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, have reported that more air traffic employees are not coming to work after having their pay deferred during the shutdown.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Airlines may defer new deliveries or maintenance spending during downturns, which can directly impact GE Aerospace's revenue streams.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
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.

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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 13 Nov. 2025.

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