as in to postpone
to assign to a later time
let's shelve the project for now
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Recent Examples of shelve
The ceiling and walls are connected with spidery shelving brackets, decorated in the same style as the black webby legs of his desk.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
In the end, delegates voted to shelve the measure for two years so lawyers could study it.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
But city leaders ultimately decided against it, with Azevedo and Aguilar being the lone pair to cast a vote against shelving the matter.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Both were quietly shelved last week.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelve
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
In the end, delegates voted to shelve the measure for two years so lawyers could study it.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
But city leaders ultimately decided against it, with Azevedo and Aguilar being the lone pair to cast a vote against shelving the matter.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Both were quietly shelved last week.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelve
Verb
-
Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Some of his concerts were canceled or postponed due to health reasons, and some fans criticized the singer for putting on lackluster performances.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to the cuts, you’re legally entitled to a cash refund, not just some future credit.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
According to the flight status report on the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field website Friday, the airport had delayed arrivals from Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and Houston, and canceled flights from Charlotte and Salt Lake City.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, a ruling could still be deferred until later in 2026, which many Beltway insiders believe could be more realistic.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Eighty years later, the country learned what happens when maintenance is deferred.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shelve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelve. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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