HOLDING OFF (ON) Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding off (on)

Verb

Rolling Stone reported that Morrissey has made a habit of canceling shows, canceling 22 performances and postponing 10 others in 2025 alone.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
According to the complaint, Brightline Investment Holdings has failed to pay down its loan or make any interest payments since December of 2025, even after seeking multiple extensions and postponing the maturity date of the loan.

— Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of postponing

Verb

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
Landa worked with the Association to get the original project approved in 2017 after holding over 30 public meetings.

— Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026

Definition of holding over

Verb

Hundreds of military bases have been putting off cleanup of toxic PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, for years, according to a new USA TODAY analysis of military records.

— Austin Fast, USA Today, 26 July 2026
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

Definition of putting off

Verb

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly commented on their investigation for weeks, deferring questions to the district attorney — who acknowledged the public’s frustration.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Companies that have borrowed from private-credit firms are increasingly deferring cash interest, a potential sign of weakness in a corner of the economy that’s drawn warnings of a crunch.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of deferring

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holding off

holding off (on)

holding on

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“Holding off (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20off%20%28on%29. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of holding off (on)

verb

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