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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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 Areas farther south saw less rain, so officials will hold off on expanding the watch for now, though that could change as the forecast is updated. — Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026 Iran’s long-range, highly accurate Shahed-136 attack drones — flying fiberglass triangles that cost about $35,000 each — have helped Tehran hold off the world’s most powerful military. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 28 Sep. 2026 After rallying briefly, the Rams could not hold off the Broncos in a 30-26 defeat in front of 76,633 at Empower Field at Mile High. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 The minister’s statements seemed to hold off popular anger, for now. — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hold off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold off

Verb

Gibson was convicted of unlawful gun possession and misdemeanor resisting arrest for not exiting the elevator, but the jury acquitted him of felony resisting arrest.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
However, experts on military law said Hasan could choose to resist execution and file a habeas petition in civilian court, which could significantly delay the execution.

— Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 8 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

Online video shows Prescott looking back at the man — who was there as a transportation service driver — while still walking, then turning away.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Time will tell whether Gen Z keeps turning away from higher education, but the truth is that the traditionally-aged students who do enroll are also arriving with a wider range of needs than ever before.

— Ruth Bauer, Fortune, 8 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