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

Reinhart’s vintage Elie Saab moment comes at a time when several high-profile stars are turning back the clock and looking to the runway from the early aughts and ’90s for their red carpet and project promotional tour stints.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Things opened up in the second half, highlighted by tight end Travis Kelce turning back the clock for a 59-yard gain in the open field.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of turning back

Verb

Stop putting off that next step for your side hustle and find the perfect person to take your business to the next level.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026
Poppe said the company was putting off $2 billion in work — not for wildfire mitigation or safety, but for housing developments, renewable energy projects and other efforts.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of putting off

Verb

The market distress peaked in 2024 with State Farm and Farmers announcing plans to drop tens of thousands of customers, and other major insurers turning away all new customers.

— Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
This is not true; no technology or social evolution is inevitable, and even some young people are already turning away from them.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of turning away

Verb

Experts believe Wednesday's mudslides and flash flooding across Nepal and China's Tibet region were caused by a large chunk of ice breaking off a glacier and falling into the Lhende Khola River.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The AccuWeather team will be looking for smaller storm cells breaking off of the main line, which would give them freedom to begin rotating and potentially spin off a tornado funnel.

— Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of breaking off

Verb

The founders of Plank Hardware create hardware made to offset a kitchen’s harsh fixtures, while still withstanding the wear and tear of daily use.

— Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026
The dismissals varied but building a middle order capable of withstanding a spin barrage in helpful conditions is fundamental to England’s ambitions overseas.

— Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of withstanding

Verb

The article details other instances of similar editorial calls, including TMZ‘s catch-and-kill of a video showing Justin Bieber using a racial slur — for which Levin reportedly paid $80,000 before shelving it.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Harrington broke the two metatarsal bones in his right foot in the seventh game last year, shelving him for 2 1/2 months.

— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of shelving

Verb

Perhaps the kid is resisting gendered socialization itself, the whole ascent to physical adulthood and its attendant adolescent affronts.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Prince Kaka of High Point, was arrested him and charged him with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, and resisting arrest, officials said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of resisting

Verb

As well as postponing the doc, which is produced by Voltage TV, Netflix has also pulled the trailer from its YouTube channel.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
That debate sparked angry exchanges among different justices, which led Justice Flávio Dino to ask for the review that led to postponing the decision.

— MAURICIO SAVARESE, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of postponing

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Holding off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20off. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of holding off

verb

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