hold off (on)

Definition of hold off (on)next
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
  • In Madera, organizers postponed the third annual Oaxacan Guelaguetza festival, amid growing fears, according to the group’s Facebook account.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In February, the Louvre postponed a competition to select an architect in charge of expanding the museum that had been announced less than a year prior.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • At least 75 data center projects worth more than $130 billion total were delayed or cancelled in the first three months of this year, according to a Data Center Watch report published in June.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • By the time the architectural plans were finished, COVID hit, and Hotel Lucile was further delayed.
    — Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Trump issued an executive order last week allowing truckers to use tax-exempt offroad diesel on the highway, but the tax obligation is deferred not eliminated.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The court has deferred a decision on the lease and sublease rejections until a hearing Wednesday.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026
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
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 18 Oct. 2026.

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