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

The zoo added that it was considering a full ban on filming around the monkey enclosure and was putting requests to film from YouTubers temporarily on hold.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

But that investment has been put on hold thanks to a startup offering a way to squeeze more out of the existing facility.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Those aspirations are on hold for the time being.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

The women made sandwiches, cakes, and tea and chattered in the kitchen while the children played, and this is how the autumn passed, with her life arrested, on hold.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

on hold

Example Sentences

Related Words