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Showing results for hang fire. Search instead for hangfir.
Definitions

hang fire

VERB
defer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjourn delay extend hold up postpone prolong set aside shelve stall suspend waive
STRONG
block detain hinder impede intermit lengthen obstruct procrastinate prorogue protract remit retard slow stay table
WEAK
give rain check lay over put on back burner put on hold put on ice
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance allow carry out continue do expedite forward further maintain shorten
STRONG
abbreviate aid assist encourage facilitate help let go promote push support
WEAK
force forge hasten hurry
VERB
hang back
Synonyms
WEAK
drop back drop behind hang off hold back hold off hover lag behind pause procrastinate shrink back shy away stay back stick straggle trail
Antonyms
WEAK
forge ahead
VERB
postpone
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjourn defer delay hold up shelve suspend
STRONG
pigeonhole prorogue table
WEAK
carry forward carry over cool it give a rain check hold off hold over lay over put back put on back burner put on hold
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance continue expedite forward further hasten hurry
WEAK
carry out do maintain persevere
VERB
procrastinate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dawdle hesitate
STRONG
dally drag lag linger loiter pause prolong protract stall stay tarry temporize wait
WEAK
be dilatory defer drag one's feet give the runaround goldbrick hold off let slide play a waiting game play for time postpone shilly-shally suspend
Antonyms
STRONG
abbreviate advance carry out complete continue do expedite finish forge forward further go hasten help hurry leave persist push rush shorten
WEAK
accelerate go ahead quicken
VERB
stymie
Synonyms
STRONGEST
choke off crimp foil impede obstruct stall stonewall thwart
STRONG
balk block confound corner crab cramp defeat mystify nonplus pigeonhole prevent puzzle shelve snooker stump
WEAK
cramp one's style cut off dead-end give the runaround hang-up hold off hold up put on back burner put on hold throw a monkey wrench into
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abet advance aid assist forward help support
STRONG
allow clarify clear up enlighten explain explicate let go release
WEAK
encourage
VERB
suspend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjourn arrest bar cease defer discontinue eject exclude file halt interrupt postpone put off reject rule out shelve stay waive withhold
STRONG
can check debar eliminate hang inactivate intermit omit pigeonhole procrastinate prorogue protract retard
WEAK
break up count out cut short hang up hold up lay aside lay off lay on the table lay over pink slip put a stop to put an end to put on back burner put on hold put on ice put on the shelf stave off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept add advance allow begin carry on carry out continue do encourage expedite forge forward go include keep on release
WEAK
complete finish persist sustain

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.

Writing in The Guardian, he said that crises “don’t take holidays, and don’t politely hang fire – certainly not to suit the convenience of a departing PM and the whims of two potential successors.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 11, 2022

A movie as cryptic as “Burning” deserves to hang fire.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 26, 2018

Why didn’t she stop after the first line, leaving it to hang fire?

From The New Yorker • May 11, 2015

The moments that can sometimes hang fire – most notably the altercation between Ivan and Kaschey and the build up to the Infernal Dance – were full of terrific tension and drama.

From The Guardian • Feb. 24, 2013

Notwithstanding the useful "tips" which he had given to the Foreign Minister regarding the base designs of his various colleagues accredited to that Court, his own affairs seemed to hang fire.

From Life in Morocco and Glimpses Beyond by Meakin, Budgett

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