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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.

Traders were pricing in a 77.6% chance that the Fed will remain on hold in December, up from 76.3% on Thursday, while also seeing a small but increased probability of a rate hike by year-end.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

The idea sat on hold until Riegler took on a challenge from a former advisor to write a scientific paper within a week.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

She put their divorce — finalized in 2016 — on hold.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Thousands have already made complaints, or started court claims, only to see their cases put on hold until the FCA completes its work.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

I'm pacing back and forth between the kitchen and the TV room, back and forth, and my whole life is on hold.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

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