1
as in turning back
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2
as in putting off
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding off
Verb
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The back caught just two of his six targets, earned Nix’s slight ire after not turning back for the ball on a third down, and was relegated mostly to the bench in the second half.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 Sep. 2025 -
And, George, turning back to Chicago.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Speedrunners have also found some arcane sequence skips to get around certain bosses or methods for putting off some boss fights until later than the developers intended.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
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Amid an influx of trends, like the red pill movement, data shows that men are by and large putting off commitment for longer.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And did a focus on militant Islamism mean turning away from threats posed by white supremacist groups?—
September 11,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
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Poison for one’s brand, such corporate drivel undermines trust in you and your company, turning away prospects.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Johnson then carried the ball on the last four plays, breaking off carries of eight, nine and 10 yards.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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After breaking off her first engagement with Affleck in 2004, the singer went on to marry singer-songwriter Marc Anthony.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
People.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Debt is quietly dictating the choices parents make for their families every day, from skipping meals to shelving college savings plans for their children.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
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Inspectors found grease and debris buildup below all cooking equipment, on shelving throughout the kitchen and the floor and wall below the warewash and prep sink.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Windy City has prepared for more than a week for looming National Guard deployments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, from the governor bracing for a court fight to parade planners postponing.—
Priscilla Alvarez,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nat Geo’s team used in-cockpit cameras capable of withstanding extreme vibration and G-forces to place viewers right inside the action.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The wires must reliably carry immense electrical currents while withstanding extreme mechanical forces within the reactor.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The decision marks an extraordinary break with the country’s history of deferring justice in the name of peace.—
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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While many executives are pausing on big hires or deferring large projects, Dave Anderson, Founder of TSC Security, argues that protecting your company’s digital assets should not be placed on the back burner.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Holding off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20off. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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