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as in to put off
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hold off
Once Piastri slipped past Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli at the start, the main drama concerned whether Piastri could hold off Leclerc.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Wearing a surgical mask to hold off the dank air, Reyes chose a bike and, before going to work on its components, performed the last rite for its former life.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Is Potente good enough to make the first move, take the lead and then hold off the talented closers?
—Steve Kornacki, NBC news, 1 May 2026
But the Legacy couldn’t hold off North Carolina.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold off
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Wearing a surgical mask to hold off the dank air, Reyes chose a bike and, before going to work on its components, performed the last rite for its former life.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Is Potente good enough to make the first move, take the lead and then hold off the talented closers?
—Steve Kornacki, NBC news, 1 May 2026
But the Legacy couldn’t hold off North Carolina.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off
Verb
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Many Jewish people across the world are Zionists, and so there is a temptation, which needs to be resisted, to hold Jewish people across the world responsible for the misdeeds of Israel.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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Sometimes, that requires making small but meaningful adjustments, like warming washcloths for a patient who resists basic care.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The longer Congress puts off reckoning with these problems, the more difficult the solutions will be.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
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Calculating and rageful, Salieri is immediately put off by Mozart’s confidence and rougish behavior.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Mike Conley turned back the clock and hit four threes for the club.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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There's no need for Cher to want to turn back time, as the music legend arrived at the Met Gala in black lace and leather.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Six hours into that meeting, board members by a 5-2 vote decided to table discussing Lawrie’s departure until May 1.—
Sofi Zeman
May 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
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The Mendota Heights Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposal Tuesday that lasted more than three hours, with the commission eventually deciding to table any vote for recommendation until its May 26 meeting.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The city should prioritize ensuring underserved communities are designed to be environmentally resilient and in compliance with current standards so that the infrastructure can withstand natural disasters.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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Beyond the hospital walls, there were no doctors or nurses to provide advice and reassurance, and no obvious checkpoint at which her body could once again withstand the rigours of elite sport.—
George Ramsay,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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On a spacecraft, this could not only puncture windows but also lead to internal spallation, where fragments break off inside the cabin.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
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Honduras established diplomatic ties with China in 2023 after breaking off relations with Taiwan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Megan, meanwhile, gets increasingly emotional, turns away from the audience to wipe her tears, then pulls herself together and smiles so that the show can go on and everybody else can bow as well.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
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In turning away the case, the Supreme Court leaves that lower court decision in place.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In February, opponents packed the City Hall chambers ahead of a planned Historic Preservation Board meeting, which was ultimately deferred at the Fontainebleau’s request after one of the board members didn’t show up.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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Booker deferred too much to Durant.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hold off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20off. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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