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Definitions

shelve

[shelv] / ʃɛlv /
VERB
defer, postpone
Synonyms
STRONGEST
freeze give up mothball prolong put off suspend waive
STRONG
delay dismiss drop hold pigeonhole prorogue scrub sideline stay table
WEAK
hang up hold off hold over hold up lay aside put aside put on back burner put on hold put on ice slow up tie up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
continue go
STRONG
advance
WEAK
carry out do go ahead

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By last fall, work on the Line all but halted as the PIF appeared to shelve the project, former employees said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

In its letter to Spiegel, Irenic calls for Snap to potentially cut staff, shelve certain projects, and capitalize on the “AI opportunity” among other proposals.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Freight rates could also be more volatile with shipping carriers expected to shelve their plans to return selected east-west services to Suez Canal transits, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Former contestants of a now-axed BBC LGBTQ+ dating show say they feel "frustrated" and "sad" at the decision to shelve the programme.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

She envisioned Mr. Griswold walking out from the back with a box of books to shelve, greeting customers as the chimes signaled their entrance.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.