held off

VERB

repress

Synonyms

WEAK

bit bridle check control curb defer delay deny forbear hold down hold in inhibit keep keep back keep out postpone prevent put off refrain refuse restrain stop suppress withhold

Antonyms

WEAK

let go reveal

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.

See Examples For:

held off

The U.S. has held off on blacklisting CXMT, according to Reuters, though the company has been designated as a national-security risk and approved for the Commerce Department’s Entity List.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

Flora first considered booking in April to avoid the expensive summer months, but says she held off over situation in the Middle East and fears of getting stuck abroad.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

The buzz: Unbeaten Switzerland held off Canada in its last game to win its group for the first time since 2006.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

She pushed Joint into corners, held off several break points, and stifled a match point in the tiebreak before taking it for herself.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

Much, if not all, of it was held off balance sheets.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis