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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off (on)
Verb
  • Restrict spending to food and gas and postpone important decisions.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 July 2026
  • Forty-two percent report postponing or canceling major life events.
    Rebecca Brooks, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Evan Longoria was inducted into the Rays Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony, which delayed the first pitch by 25 minutes.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • Rayfield also asked a state circuit court judge to delay the closing of the deal by 60 days so that his office could review the documents.
    Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • These arrangements — which allow borrowers to defer cash interest payments by adding them to the loan principal, typically for a charge — can often signal liquidity stress and rising default risk.
    Hugh Leask, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • Under a city ordinance passed last month, Oceanside has decided to defer upzoning there until 2032.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
Verb
  • Drone strikes and shelling have targeted civilian infrastructure including schools, markets, fuel and water stations, putting over 500,000 people at risk.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 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 16 Jul. 2026.

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