holds off

verb

present tense third-person singular of hold off
1
as in stands off

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in puts off

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds off
  1. turns away
  2. puts off
  3. turns back
  4. breaks off
  5. resists
  6. shelves
  7. withstands
  8. defers
Verb
  • The insect naturally turns away when an antenna touches an obstacle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • The bear, seemingly frightened, quickly turns away from the boy and continues running, sliding under a boat parked in the driveway.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of turns away
Verb
  • When a leader puts off a decision, the people around them feel the pause first.
    — Mohamed AL Hashemi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • The longer Congress puts off reckoning with these problems, the more difficult the solutions will be.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Definition of puts off
Verb
  • Then, the pressure is released so that DME turns back into a gas, leaving the water in the tank.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2026
  • An exhibit celebrating the Metro’s rail system turns back time with its vintage 1970s railcar.
    — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
Definition of turns back
Verb
  • This is the most significant ice calving event (where ice breaks off of a glacier) seen in the Arctic since 2020.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • According to the reports, the malfunctions occurred during the ride's signature ‘tilt' portion, where the segment of track containing the ride vehicle breaks off completely and tilts forward 45 degrees before reconnecting to another piece of track at a 90-degree angle to the ground below.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Definition of breaks off
Verb
  • Eve resists scream-queen clichés, but Gemma’s boringly typical tortured backstory is as flat as her wan chemistry with Nick.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Harbour resists the idea that the label was ever a cage or a hurdle to his progress as an artist.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of resists
Verb
  • Clean the wood cabinet doors monthly and the interior shelves every three to six months.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
  • The result was a fun cameo arc that ends on the image of Scorsese breaking down in tears after Matt shelves the iconic director’s dream project to save his own job — a turn that earned Scorsese his first acting nomination.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2025
Definition of shelves
Verb
  • If the map withstands a court challenge, Cleaver will have to win over voters in both Democratic Kansas City and the solidly Trump parts of Missouri.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
  • His performance could dictate how well Orlando withstands Chicago’s press.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of withstands
Verb
  • But holding back defers crucial conversations about goals, methods, and the limits of American aid.
    — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Quinn defers on the proposal but starts seeing Oliver in their new setting, creating the love triangle.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Definition of defers
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

holds (in)
holds off
holds off (on)
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Cite this Entry

“Holds off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20off. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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