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Definitions

on hold

ADJECTIVE
deferred
Synonyms
STRONGEST
delayed negotiated postponed
STRONG
adjourned assessed charged pigeonholed prolonged protracted remanded renegotiated scrubbed stalled temporized
WEAK
held up in waiting indebted on the shelf staved off
Antonyms
WEAK
advanced forwarded furthered hastened hurried
ADJECTIVE
inactive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dormant dull idle immobile inoperative jobless passive sedentary sluggish static unemployed unused
WEAK
abeyant asleep blah dead disengaged do-nothing down draggy in holding pattern indolent latent lax lethargic limp low-key mothballed motionless ossified out of action out of commission out of service out of work quiescent quiet slack sleepy slothful slow somnolent stable still torpid unoccupied
Antonyms
STRONGEST
active employed energetic lively mobile moving used
WEAK
busy involved working
ADJECTIVE
postponed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
delayed suspended
STRONG
adjourned intermitted prorogued scrubbed shelved tabled withheld
WEAK
put off
NOUN
wait
Synonyms
STRONGEST
interval
STRONG
down downtime halt hold interim rest stay
WEAK
holdup time wasted
Antonyms
STRONG
continuation go
WEAK
act doing

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 at Morgan Stanley estimate that around 13 million barrels of daily oil production is on hold in the Middle East and 2.7 million barrels of refining capacity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

A judge has put on hold all trials of people charged with supporting Palestine Action, scheduling a blanket review of cases for July 30.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

Bianco put the investigation on hold shortly before the California Supreme Court halted it pending further review.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

There have been several rounds of talks, with the US acting as a mediator, but the process has been on hold since Donald Trump shifted his focus to the Middle East.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

But overall, community colleges tend to be places where dreams are put on hold.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times