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.

The last-minute agreement on bonuses -- which union members will vote on -- was struck late Wednesday, with plans for an 18-day strike from Thursday put on hold until further notice.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

While the FCC has approved the deal, the transaction is on hold, as it has been challenged in court by a bipartisan group of state attorneys general as well as by rival DirecTV.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Those aspirations are on hold for the time being.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

April's solid employment figures added to expectations the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates on hold as it seeks to keep a lid on inflation.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

“So the program was put on hold for several years while they studied the flaws and redesigned their approach based on what they had learned.”

From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh

on hold

Example Sentences

Related Words