hold off
verb
held off; holding off; holds off
1
: to block from an objective : delay
2
: to defer action on : postpone
hold off a decision
3
: to fight to a standoff : withstand
: to defer or temporarily stop doing something
Synonyms
Examples of hold off in a Sentence
we held off on accepting the invitation in the hopes that something better would come along
Recent Examples on the Web
In Nebraska, incumbent Republican Sen. Deb Fischer had a tougher-than-expected race against independent Dan Osborn but held off her challenger.
—
Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
Ukrainian drones and artillery have held off the Russians, so far.
—David Axe, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Advertisement This was the same player who played with a broken finger in the final month of the regular season as the Dodgers held off the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks to win the NL West.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
The first question would have added $410 per student to the operating levy in order to hold off classroom staffing cuts, and offer K-8 world language classes, among other items.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold off 
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Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
Ukrainian drones and artillery have held off the Russians, so far.
—David Axe, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Advertisement This was the same player who played with a broken finger in the final month of the regular season as the Dodgers held off the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks to win the NL West.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
The first question would have added $410 per student to the operating levy in order to hold off classroom staffing cuts, and offer K-8 world language classes, among other items.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold off
Dictionary Entries Near hold off
Cite this Entry
“Hold off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%20off. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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