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 South Florida, Michael said holding off on certain retail and office projects has been a normal practice given the market conditions.
—
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2024
The Bangladesh Water Development Board said Saturday that water levels of the major rivers in the northeast were falling and the trend could continue over the coming days if further rains hold off.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 22 June 2024
Biden officials urged Netanyahu to get more aid into Gaza and to hold off on a major attack on Rafah, Hamas’s final stronghold, where more than 1 million civilians had fled for safety.
—Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
Wall Street Journal Financial software company Stripe will let its employees cash out more of their stock shares, marking its third worker tender offer, as the business continues to hold off an initial public offering.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold off 
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2024
The Bangladesh Water Development Board said Saturday that water levels of the major rivers in the northeast were falling and the trend could continue over the coming days if further rains hold off.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 22 June 2024
Biden officials urged Netanyahu to get more aid into Gaza and to hold off on a major attack on Rafah, Hamas’s final stronghold, where more than 1 million civilians had fled for safety.
—Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 21 June 2024
Wall Street Journal Financial software company Stripe will let its employees cash out more of their stock shares, marking its third worker tender offer, as the business continues to hold off an initial public offering.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for hold off
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hold off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 4 Jul. 2024.
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