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

hold off (on)

verb

Definition of hold off (on)

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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off (on)

Verb

Spain's soccer federation postponed all 24 Copa del Rey games scheduled on Wednesday.

— JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
The board unanimously postponed a vote on it after a meeting that lasted about five hours.

— Beret Leone, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of postpone

Verb

The tests could easily do the opposite, as people with results suggesting cancer require follow-up testing that overwhelms our healthcare system, potentially delaying diagnoses for people with cancer.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
The game was one of many across the Southland delayed or postponed by lightning, particularly in Orange County.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

Holding additional liquidity has an opportunity cost, but insufficient liquidity during a downturn can force an organization to sell assets, accept expensive financing or defer investment.

— Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
The Falcons have won the toss and deferred each of the past three games, only for their opponent to go down and score each time.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of defer

Verb

Our top picks In an effort to figure out which aprons best marry form and function, my colleagues and I put over a dozen options to the test in our own homes.

— Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
After losing nearly a stroke and a half to the field on the greens in Round 1, Åberg has gained nearly three strokes putting over the last two days.

— Justin Ray, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of put over

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hold off

hold off (on)

hold on

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“Hold off (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold%20off%20%28on%29. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hold off (on)

verb

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