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Showing results for shelve.
Definitions

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

Freight rates could also be more volatile with shipping carriers expected to shelve their plans to return selected east-west services to Suez Canal transits, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Former contestants of a now-axed BBC LGBTQ+ dating show say they feel "frustrated" and "sad" at the decision to shelve the programme.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Two years after a newborn baby was found abandoned on a freezing winter's night, London police look set to shelve their investigation despite having discovered that she is the sibling of two other foundlings.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

She envisioned Mr. Griswold walking out from the back with a box of books to shelve, greeting customers as the chimes signaled their entrance.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman