as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity
our weekend plans were held in abeyance until we could get a weather forecast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abeyance
Whereas Ferguson took over at United when Liverpool were still the dominant force in English football, Slot (and even Klopp previously) took residence at Anfield with the club’s fiercest rivals in abeyance.
—
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Germany officially put conscription into abeyance in 2011.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Jaguar might have quietly and respectfully slipped into abeyance after years of struggle, as Daimler, Rover, Triumph, and other great British names did.
—Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abeyance
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Germany officially put conscription into abeyance in 2011.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Jaguar might have quietly and respectfully slipped into abeyance after years of struggle, as Daimler, Rover, Triumph, and other great British names did.
—Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abeyance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abeyance
Noun
-
The memo also calls for the temporary suspension of LEP.gov, a federal website for people with limited English proficiency.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
14 July 2025
-
At least one opposition party has called for his suspension.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The dinosaurs revert to instinct and viciously attack humans, thereby creating chilling suspense for audiences.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
An uphill finish adds suspense to a normally low-key last day.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abeyance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abeyance. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share