as in postponed
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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held off (on)
Verb
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But the state Department of Public Health and Human Services postponed adding doula services to its Medicaid program in late March, citing a budget shortfall driven in part by higher-than-expected Medicaid costs.—
Katheryn Houghton,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026 -
At the start of the episode, Seacrest will reveal the two contestants that were eliminated after last week's performances, results that were postponed after an unprecedented surge in votes during episode 10.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The results of an intelligence assessment delayed his combat deployment.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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Before the contract was eventually approved, the Solano County Deputy Sheriff's Association, the department's union, came out against the move, which delayed a vote at the time.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fire department sedan strikes pedestrian – $225,000 Although this item was deferred by the Board of Estimates until its next meeting, the city’s law and finance department approved a near-quarter-million-dollar payout to Daryl Bailey after a Baltimore City Fire Department sedan struck him.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
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Each count carries a minimum sentence of three years, which can’t be suspended or deferred.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Held off (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20off%20%28on%29. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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