hold off (on)

verb

Definition of hold off (on)next
as in to postpone
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off (on)
  1. postpone
  2. delay
  3. defer
  4. put over
Verb
  • Thanks to to novel coronavirus global pandemic, Hugh Jackman’s The Music Man is postponed to spring 2021.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Gallant was scheduled to meet with his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in Washington in early October — a trip Gallant initiated — but it was postponed at Netanyahu’s request.
    Max Burman, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Definition of postpone
Verb
  • In a 2023 lawsuit, 20 patients alleged doctors delayed or denied medically-necessary care out of confusion and fear of the penalties for violating the law, which include loss of medical license, fines of $100,000 or more and sentences of up to life in prison.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • But don't delay, the collection will be available for a limited time only and is expected to sell out fast.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of delay
Verb
  • After the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, reviewed the national security implications of the sale, the Biden administration deferred a decision until after the election.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
  • In 2023, only 14% of employees deferred the maximum amount into 401(k) plans, according to Vanguard’s 2024 How America Saves report, which included data from 1,500 qualified plans and nearly 5 million participants.
    Kate Dore, CFP®, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
Definition of defer
Verb
  • Chop up candy or candy bars with a knife or scissors and put over ice cream or frozen yogurt.
    Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
  • When Cody tried to put over the gaudy Crown Jewel Championship, fans did not seem all that impressed with it.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Definition of put over
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near hold off (on)

hold off

hold off (on)

hold on

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Cite this Entry

“Hold off (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20off%20%28on%29. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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