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
  • An exhibit celebrating the Metro’s rail system turns back time with its vintage 1970s railcar.
    — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
  • Kara talks her out of it, and when Ruthye walks away, Kara turns back to Krem and stabs him multiple times with a sword.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Definition of turns back
Verb
  • 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
  • If the mouthpiece breaks off, try to remove it without digging into the skin.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Definition of breaks off
Verb
  • Somehow, the mess of my notes resists all forms of optimization, or even coherence.
    — Rainesford Stauffer, Time, 24 July 2026
  • Enough investment to build real capability and real momentum, structured in a way that absorbs change rather than resists it.
    — Farooque Munshi, Forbes.com, 23 July 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
  • The RFID‑blocking lining adds peace of mind during international travel, and the durable leather withstands frequent handling at airports.
    — Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026
  • Despite its lightweight feel, cork is highly durable and withstands plenty of wear and tear, according to the Cork Institute.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
Definition of withstands
Verb
  • Quinn defers on the proposal but starts seeing Oliver in their new setting, creating the love triangle.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • While this strategic pivot defers short-term revenue and creates market uncertainty, with full returns anticipated by 2027, it's seen as a calculated gamble to build a larger future revenue stream and expand its competitive edge.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 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 Jul. 2026.

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