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
Recent Examples on the Web
The Lakers big man put up 35 points, 18 rebounds, three blocks and two steals as the Lakers held off a fourth-quarter comeback attempt from the Wizards to pick up a third straight victory.
—
Matias Grez, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
In 2021, the company got hold off 3 million fake products.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
The offense came up empty the rest of the way, behind held off the board the final eight innings, going 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight on base, and Burger and Bell (arguably Miami’s most consistent hitters so far in this young season) hitting into three double plays.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Truly disruptive rain may hold off until perhaps early in the next workweek.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Under New York law, filing an appeal generally doesn't hold off enforcement of a judgment, but there's an automatic pause if the person or entity posts a bond covering what's owed.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2024
Ukraine may again be holding off a more powerful aggressor.
—Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024
Ross Chastain took the lead early in the final stage and held off Byron and the rest of the field for a while, before Byron eventually passed him from the outside.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024
Any light shower chance should hold off until after dark.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024
Matias Grez, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
In 2021, the company got hold off 3 million fake products.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
The offense came up empty the rest of the way, behind held off the board the final eight innings, going 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight on base, and Burger and Bell (arguably Miami’s most consistent hitters so far in this young season) hitting into three double plays.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Truly disruptive rain may hold off until perhaps early in the next workweek.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Under New York law, filing an appeal generally doesn't hold off enforcement of a judgment, but there's an automatic pause if the person or entity posts a bond covering what's owed.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Mar. 2024
Ukraine may again be holding off a more powerful aggressor.
—Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024
Ross Chastain took the lead early in the final stage and held off Byron and the rest of the field for a while, before Byron eventually passed him from the outside.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024
Any light shower chance should hold off until after dark.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024
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.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of hold off was
in the 15th century
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 18 Apr. 2024.
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