holding off (on)

verb

present participle of hold off (on)
as in postponing
to assign to a later time we held off on accepting the invitation in the hopes that something better would come along

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding off (on)
  1. postponing
  2. delaying
  3. holding over
  4. putting off
  5. deferring
Verb
  • Undoubtedly, the biggest blow was the announcement that the kingdom is postponing its flagship investment conference, the Future Investment Initiative, until next year, although no exact date has been set.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Supervisor Brian Veerkamp, who will miss Tuesday’s meeting, recommended postponing the appointment to allow for a competitive selection process.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of postponing
Verb
  • The significance of the phase 3 data extends beyond delaying a recurrence, doctors said.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • According to the county staff report, delaying repairs for a formal bidding process could increase the risk of additional sinkholes, ground collapse and property damage.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of delaying
Verb
  • The country's telecom and internet service market is dominated by Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani's Jio and Sunil Mittal's Airtel, with both companies together holding over 80% market share.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There are more than 300 such foundations across the country, holding over $40 billion in assets, according to Grantmakers In Health (paywall).
    — Laura MacDonald, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of holding over
Verb
  • Angi data shows 60 percent of consumers are now putting off projects and switching to maintenance.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of putting off
Verb
  • But analysts said that the order may only end up deferring those payments rather than removing them entirely.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • When the paycheck is steady and when deferring may even feel rational.
    — Srinivasulu Mupparaju, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of deferring
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.

Browse Nearby Words

holding off
holding off (on)
holding on
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Cite this Entry

“Holding off (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20off%20%28on%29. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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