shelve

[shelv] / ʃɛlv /

VERB

defer, postpone

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 over 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

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.

Britain indicated Saturday it would shelve plans to hand back the Chagos Islands -- which hosts a strategic US-UK military base -- after US President Donald Trump strongly criticised the deal.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

By last fall, work on the Line all but halted as the PIF appeared to shelve the project, former employees said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

In its letter to Spiegel, Irenic calls for Snap to potentially cut staff, shelve certain projects, and capitalize on the “AI opportunity” among other proposals.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Two things persuaded Haagy to shelve his own plant research and zero in on the mystery of sky-darkening smog.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

He had Conway shelve War Admiral for the season.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

shelve

Example Sentences

Related Words