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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.

The White House didn’t reply to a request for comment on a U.S. delegation’s planned trip to Islamabad, which appears to be on hold.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

"It feels like our lives have been on hold for the past three and a half years because it has been very stop-start," said Tuczemskyi.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

A co-worker had asked me to co-host a podcast with her; now that was on hold.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

With the conflict on hold, the price of oil has fallen 27% to $82 a barrel from a four-year high of nearly $113 a week and a half ago.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Might as well be comfortable when you're on hold.

From "Seedfolks" by Paul Fleischman