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Dictionary.com
Definitions

hold over

VERB
adjourn
Synonyms
STRONGEST
defer delay discontinue postpone put off recess shelve suspend
STRONG
curb prorogue restrain stay
WEAK
hold off hold up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance carry out continue do expedite forward hasten hurry
WEAK
begin convene convoke encourage further keep on open rally stimulate urge
VERB
delay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjourn bar block defer detain hamper hold impede keep obstruct postpone prevent prolong put off restrict shelve stall stay suspend withhold
STRONG
arrest check choke clog confine curb dawdle deter dilly-dally discourage drag encumber filibuster inhibit interfere intermit lag linger loiter procrastinate prorogue protract remand repress retard slacken table tarry temporize
WEAK
bide time gain time keep back lay over stave off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon advance aid allow assist carry out continue do encourage expedite forward free further go help let go open permit promote release support
STRONG
complete finish hurry leave liberate push rush unblock
WEAK
dispatch hasten speed
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 hang fire hold off 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
put off
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjourn hold off postpone reschedule shelve suspend
WEAK
dally dawdle dillydally drag one's feet lag lay over linger loiter poke prorogue put back retard stay tarry trail
Antonyms
STRONGEST
carry out continue do
WEAK
accomplish achieve succeed
VERB
remain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
continue endure go on hover last linger live persist prevail stand stop survive wait
STRONG
abide bide bivouac bunk cling delay dwell freeze halt hang inhabit lodge nest outlast outlive pause perch reside rest roost sojourn squat tarry visit
WEAK
be left hang out hold the fort keep on make camp put on hold remain standing sit out sit through sit tight stay behind stay in stay over stay put stick around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease die discontinue go leave lie
STRONG
carry on depart hurry move
WEAK
forge
VERB
repeat
Synonyms
STRONGEST
echo recite rehash reiterate renew replay restate
STRONG
chime din ditto imitate ingeminate iterate quote reappear recapitulate recast reciprocate reconstruct recrudesce recur redo refashion reform rehearse reissue relate remake reprise reproduce rerun retell return revert revolve rework
WEAK
come again drum into go over again make like occur again play back play over read back reoccur resay reshow run over sing same old song
Antonyms
STRONG
destroy stop
VERB
rescue
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extricate free keep liberate preserve protect recapture recover release retrieve salvage
STRONG
conserve deliver disembarrass disentangle emancipate manumit ransom redeem regain retain safeguard spring unleash unloose
WEAK
bail one out get off the hook get out get out of hock give a break pull out of the fire save life of set free
Antonyms
STRONGEST
give harm hold hurt injure limit lose restrain
STRONG
forfeit imprison spend
WEAK
imperil
VERB
restate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
echo rehash reiterate renew
STRONG
chime din ditto imitate ingeminate iterate quote reappear recapitulate recast reciprocate recite reconstruct recrudesce recur redo refashion reform rehearse reissue relate remake replay reprise reproduce rerun retell return revert revolve rework
WEAK
come again drum into go over again make like occur again play back play over read back reoccur resay reshow run over sing same old song
Antonyms
STRONG
destroy stop
VERB
shelve
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 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
VERB
stay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrest delay detain hold postpone stop suspend
STRONG
adjourn check curb defer discontinue halt hinder impede intermit interrupt obstruct prevent prorogue shelve stall
WEAK
put off ward off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance continue encourage expedite go let go release
STRONG
aid allow assist carry on facilitate forge forward further help permit promote push support
WEAK
leave

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.

Analysts say the U.S. and Israel achieved tactical military success, but Iran tightened its hold over the Strait of Hormuz.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

An Irish reporter asked Trump about the proposed expansion of his golf resort in County Clare, which is currently on hold over the fate of a protected species of snail.

From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026

We Pay The Tariffs, a coalition of small businesses that has spoken out against the tariffs, said the trade war has put hiring and expansion plans on hold over the past year.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

Celtic thought they could take a gamble on Nancy because they couldn't imagine a world where any other side could rival their hold over the league title, their bread and butter.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

As the concert went on, the songs changed from fast to slow, from funky to sincere, but Kaira maintained a magical hold over the crowd.

From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar

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