What Is Another Way to Say “Put on Hold”?

Looking for synonyms for put on hold? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say put on hold.

  • Postpone
  • Suspend
  • Delay
  • Defer
  • Shelve
  • Table
  • Adjourn
  • Hold off
  • Pause
  • Freeze
  • Stay
  • Procrastinate
  • Mothball
  • Pigeonhole
  • Stymie

Want to learn how to say put on hold professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Postpone

Used when an event or action is delayed to a later time or date.

  • Example: The company decided to postpone the product launch due to unforeseen circumstances.

2. Suspend

Refers to temporarily stopping or pausing an activity or process.

  • Example: Operations were suspended until the safety inspection was completed.

3. Delay

Indicates a situation where something is put off to a later time than originally planned.

  • Example: The project experienced a delay in receiving the necessary parts from suppliers.

4. Defer

Describes the action of putting something off to a later time.

  • Example: The board chose to defer the decision until more information was available.

5. Shelve

Used when a project or plan is put aside, often indefinitely.

  • Example: Due to budget constraints, the expansion plans were shelved.

6. Table

Refers to postponing discussion or consideration of a proposal or motion.

  • Example: The committee decided to table the matter until the next meeting.

7. Adjourn

Describes suspending the proceedings to another time or place.

  • Example: The conference was adjourned until the following year.

8. Hold off

Used informally to describe waiting before proceeding with an action or decision.

  • Example: We should hold off on making any changes until we see the quarterly results.

9. Pause

Refers to temporarily stopping an activity or process.

  • Example: The team took a pause on the project to reassess its objectives.

10. Freeze

Used when actions, decisions, or processes are halted, often for regulatory or strategic reasons.

  • Example: The government decided to freeze all new infrastructure projects due to the economic downturn.

11. Stay

Legally refers to halting or suspending a judicial proceeding or enforcement.

  • Example: The court issued a stay on the new law pending further review.

12. Procrastinate

Indicates delaying or postponing something, typically used in the context of individual behavior rather than organizational decisions.

  • Example: The manager cautioned the team not to procrastinate on delivering the critical report.

13. Mothball

Describes putting a plan, project, or operation into abeyance, often in a state that allows for its possible future use.

  • Example: The factory was mothballed until market conditions improved.

14. Pigeonhole

Refers to setting something aside and often forgetting about it, typically a legislative bill or a proposal.

  • Example: The innovative proposal was pigeonholed and never brought to discussion.

15. Stymie

Indicates hindering or preventing the progress of something, often leading to a delay or hold.

  • Example: Regulatory hurdles stymied the project’s development, putting it on hold indefinitely.

Linda Brown