HOLDING OFF Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

holding off

verb

present participle of hold off

as in turning back

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Dissimilar Words

as in putting off

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding off

Verb

Congress has grappled with turning back the clocks many times.

— Yonat Shimron, NPR, 16 July 2026
There will be no turning back the clock if the House has its way.

— Kevin Freking, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Definition of turning back

Verb

Home Depot and Lowe’s both told investors this year that homeowners are putting off larger home improvement projects – those often associated with fixer-upper homes.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Across the country, park agencies struggling with these dire conditions are responding by putting off maintenance for trails and forests to save money, said Ray.

— Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of putting off

Verb

Many political scientists attribute the narrowing of the gender gap in religiosity to more young women turning away from religion rather than more young men turning toward it.

— Chantelle Lee, Time, 9 July 2026
The ball in the net, the goalkeeper reacting, fans erupting in the background, and Messi already turning away with his arms raised.

— Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

Definition of turning away

Verb

The Swiss defense held its own, withstanding many Argentina chances and eventually taking the reigning champions to extra time.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Natividad's great-great-great grandfather adapted and so did his descendants ‒ withstanding every new attempt to erase their language, culture or traditions.

— Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2026

Definition of withstanding

Verb

Access to another exit near the kitchen might also have been narrowed by shelving units and lockers, said Kittharath, who visited the scene Monday morning.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Executives also weighed shelving a target that would have had Microsoft match its hourly data center electricity use with renewables.

— Matt Day, Fortune, 9 July 2026

Definition of shelving

Verb

In sportier modes, each wheel can counteract handling forces with up to 2,250 pounds of resisting force.

— Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 15 July 2026
It will be used to hold detainees facing charges for violating city ordinances — such as trespassing, theft, car break-ins, resisting arrest, assault and other offenses.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of resisting

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“Holding off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20off. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of holding off

verb

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