HOLD OFF Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

hold off

verb

Definition of hold off

as in to resist

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Dissimilar Words

as in to put off

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of hold off The minister’s statements seemed to hold off popular anger, for now. — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026 So try to hold off on making important decisions, like signing contracts or swiping your credit card on something expensive. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 Common Sense Media notes that some families start tweens with basic phones or smartwatches for safety, while others hold off longer before introducing a smartphone. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Atlanta is trying to hold off the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East title and could wrap up the division crown as soon as Sunday. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off

Verb

But resist the urge to throw every brightening ingredient at the problem.

— Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
Attempts to coordinate the different agencies under a central authority to fight organized crime have failed in Congress, where professional associations representing those agencies have resisted anything that would reduce their power.

— MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of resist

Verb

Some of them were put off by élite football’s deliberate lack of culture—staunch apoliticism is easy to sell to Sky Sports—and others had been priced out.

— Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
But don’t be put off by produce that doesn’t look picture-perfect.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of put off

Verb

Tight end Travis Kelce looks like he’s turned back the clock for Kansas City, which is running the ball well.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
An Israeli military official said its fighter jets had turned back before the plane landed at Tabuk.

— Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn back

Verb

Lawson has withstood a decades-long vivisection of her body and sexuality.

— Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
Its airframe is built largely from titanium and titanium alloys to withstand the extreme temperatures generated during sustained high-speed flight.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of withstand

Verb

During the launch, a chunk of insulating foam broke off of the external tank and hit the bottom of the rocket booster, leaving a huge dent.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Walker turned the corner around a defender near the sideline, breaking off a 76-yard run to get Kansas City near the Las Vegas goal line.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of break off

Verb

The report revealed that 85% of providers in the United States experienced moderate or severe staffing challenges in the past year and 55% have had to turn away people in need of care due to inadequate staffing.

— STAT, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
The plane was told to wait for clearance from the Jordanian military and then turned away.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn away

Verb

The judge deferred ruling on Rashbaum’s constitutional challenge until after trial, and the issue became moot when the jury acquitted Renaud on all counts.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
The catch is the tax obligations don’t go away completely, they are just deferred until next year.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026