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as in to put off
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Recent Examples of hold off
If the soil still appears quite moist, hold off on watering for a few more days and check again.
—
Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Even though growth in the overall number of travelers DIA handles has flattened in recent years, there’s no reason to hold off on expansion, Washington said.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
Ensure the mix has good airflow, give the orchid plenty of bright, indirect light, and hold off on fertilizing until the orchid recovers.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026
Even with the return of PJ Washington and Williams, the Mavericks couldn’t hold off the Nuggets, who won their third straight game.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold off
Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Even though growth in the overall number of travelers DIA handles has flattened in recent years, there’s no reason to hold off on expansion, Washington said.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
Ensure the mix has good airflow, give the orchid plenty of bright, indirect light, and hold off on fertilizing until the orchid recovers.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026
Even with the return of PJ Washington and Williams, the Mavericks couldn’t hold off the Nuggets, who won their third straight game.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off
Verb
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Crystals are materials whose particles form repeating patterns that resist deformation, commonly seen in nature as snowflakes, diamonds, or table salt.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
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Besides, Wall Street’s infatuation with AI was likely too hard to resist.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Viewers of Bridgerton are still likely, and rightfully, going to be put off by Benedict’s offer.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
30 Jan. 2026
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Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Monday's situation at the airport was much calmer, despite below-freezing temperatures that caused the weekend's rainfall to turn back into ice.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Morris shook Crockett’s hand before turning back down the sidewalk.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Three different votes were held to table the agenda item for another meeting, another to approve the list without Willett and then a final one to reapprove him.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Jan. 2026
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Wehrli’s motion to table the issue to allow time for a study to be done failed with a 6-3 vote.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The body-skimming jersey fabric will keep you cool and comfy, plus it's designed to withstand washing and drying.—
Cheryl Wagemann,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
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What Florida agriculture faces from the cold Freeze watches and warnings let growers and food producers, particularly those with sensitive plants including Florida citrus, to take protective measures in their fields to help crops withstand cold temperatures that could damage or kill them.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Senate’s move to break off the DHS bill from the broader package assures that the House will need to reapprove the package.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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In that unlikely scenario, there would be a risk of debris breaking off the asteroid and hitting Earth.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Adi turned away as the needle found its vein, scanning the other man for a reaction but finding none.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Multiple videos also show a federal agent in a gray jacket reaching into the scuffle empty-handed and emerging with a gun in his right hand, turning away from the man when the first shot is fired, then running across the street as more shots are fired.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Just as financial advisors recommend deferring enough into a 401(k) plan to benefit from your employer's full matching contribution, there is no reason to pass this free money up.—
Jessica Dickler,Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
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Its frequent cost overruns, spending beyond budgets and failure to defer and mitigate spending when possible mean higher rates.—
David S. Lapp,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20off. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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