hold off

• POS: Verb (usu participle), Verb (intransitive)

THESAURUS

hold off

abstain, adjourn, be dilatory, beat back, beat off, blench, block, boggle, brush off, chase, chase away, chase off, check, continue, counter, cut, defer, delay, demur, dismiss, dispense with, do without, drag out, drive away, drive back, extend, falter, fend, fend off, fight shy of, filibuster, flinch, forbear, forgo, gain time, hang, hang back, hang fire, hang off, hang up, have qualms, hesitate, hinder, hold at bay, hold back, hold over, hold up, keep at bay, keep back, keep in hand, keep off, lay aside, lay by, lay over, let alone, make bones about, make time, not touch, not use, obstruct, pack off, parry, pause, pigeonhole, play for time, postpone, procrastinate, prolong, prorogate, prorogue, protract, pull back, push aside, push back, put, put aside, put back, put off, put on ice, quail, rebuff, rebut, recess, recoil, refrain, refuse, repel, repulse, reserve, save, scruple, send away, send off, send packing, set aside, set by, shelve, shift off, shrink, shy, shy at, sleep on, snub, spare, spurn, stall, stall for time, stall off, stand over, stave off, stay, stick at, stickle, stooge around, stop, strain, stretch out, suspend, table, take a recess, talk against time, temporize, thrust back, turn aside, turn back, waive, ward off, waver, wince

ROGET THESAURUS

hold off

Avoidance

VB abstain, refrain, spare, not attempt, not do, maintain the even tenor of one's way, eschew, keep from, let alone, have nothing to do with, keep aloof keep off, stand aloof, stand off, hold aloof, hold off, take no part in, have no hand in, avoid, shun, steer clear of, keep clear of, fight shy of, keep one's distance, keep at a respectful distance, keep out of the way, get out of the way, evade, elude, turn away from, set one's face against, deny oneself, shrink back, hang back, hold back, draw back, recoil, retire, flinch, blink, blench, shy, shirk, dodge, parry, make way for, give place to, beat a retreat, turn tail, turn one's back, take to one's heels, runaway, run for one's life, cut and run, be off like a shot, fly, flee, fly away, flee away, run away from, take flight, take to flight, desert, elope, make off, scamper off, sneak off, shuffle off, sheer off, break away, tear oneself away, slip away, slink away, steel away, make away from, scamper away from, sneak away from, shuffle away from, sheer away from, slip cable, part company, turn one's heel, sneak out of, play truant, give one the go by, give leg bail, take French leave, slope, decamp, flit, bolt, abscond, levant, skedaddle, absquatulat, cut one's stick, walk one's chalks, show a light pair of heels, make oneself scarce, escape, go away, abandon, reject, lead one a dance, lead one a pretty dance, throw off the scent, play at hide and seek, Adj, unsought, unattempted, avoiding, neutral, shy of, elusive, evasive, fugitive, runaway, shy, wild.