holding off

verb

Definition of holding offnext
present participle of hold off
1
as in turning back

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in putting off

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding off
  1. postponing
  2. deferring
  3. resisting
  4. opposing
Verb
  • The couple planned to marry in 2003 before postponing the wedding.
    Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Similarly, businesses servicing India’s booming wedding industry have been affected by consumers postponing their celebrations because of the poor weather.
    Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
Definition of postponing
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the music business marched forward, absorbing losses and deferring any hard decisions.
    Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Overpacking has the effect of deferring decisions, shifting them from your house to your hotel room.
    Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2024
Definition of deferring
Verb
  • He was arrested again in 2016, during his four-year probation term, for shoplifting from a local Walmart and resisting security and was sent back to prison.
    Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The result of a complex physical and chemical treatment process, the finish gets its name for its ceramic-like feel and matte finish while resisting scratches and scuffs.
    Brian Westover, PCMAG, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of resisting
Verb
  • Conley is struggling with his shot again the past couple of games and at times looks overwhelmed by opposing size and athleticism.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Meta and others have also filed briefs opposing OpenAI’s plan.
    Charlie Fink, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Definition of opposing
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near holding off

holding (in)

holding off

holding off (on)

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Cite this Entry

“Holding off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20off. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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