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
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Clarkson announced her Studio Sessions residency earlier this year but abruptly postponed the run’s first few shows hours before opening night, July 4.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025 -
New grant opportunities and review panels are postponed or canceled, researchers at government laboratories stop collecting and analyzing data, and university projects reliant on federal funding are put at risk.—
Kenneth M. Evans,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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A day earlier, flights were delayed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, New Jersey’s Newark airport and Washington’s Reagan National Airport because of air traffic controller shortages.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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His discharge has been delayed due to his father’s detention.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Fears of the dotcom bubble repeating can be deferred for now — even Powell suggested so.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
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After a brief discussion to defer a vote for fear of litigation, the board moved forward with the vote that ended in a 4-4 tie.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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 6 Nov. 2025.
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