hold·back
ˈhōl(d)-ˌbak 
1
: something that retains or restrains
2
a
: the act of holding back
b
: something held back
held back; holding back; holds back
1
a
: to hinder the progress or achievement of : restrain
b
: to keep from advancing to the next stage, grade, or level
2
: to refrain from revealing or parting with
held back important information
1
: to keep oneself in check
2
: to refrain from revealing or parting with something
Synonyms
Examples of holdback in a Sentence
Noun
there'll be a holdback on production until the new machinery is fully installed
the only holdback to starting the new job is my contractual commitment to my current position
Verb
the only thing holding them back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation
held back her tears until she was alone
Recent Examples on the Web
Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
The best rooms look as though they've been decorated over time, like this one featuring a collection of distressed wood dressers, a metal bed frame, and antique drapery holdbacks.
—Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
That's because the manufacturer will typically designate a holdback price, or a percentage of the MSRP or invoice.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
France Télévisions also has first-window exclusivity for the French-language version, with a one-year holdback.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The manufacturer pays the holdback price to the dealership once the dealer sells the vehicle.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
There is a six-month holdback for the launch of the English-language versions in France.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The reason Cannes doesn’t show Netflix films is simply because of the film law in France, which defines a very long holdback period after a film can move from theatrical release to streaming.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 25 Oct. 2022
The Prime Video Original will launch worldwide on the streaming platform and will be available to linear TV and other outlets after a holdback, said Lozano.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Nov. 2022
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Blake made safe choices and held back from challenging his vocal range, all while not quite hitting the right notes.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Big shifts in customer behavior, including earlier dinner times and less booze late into the evenings, have held back a return to pre-pandemic patterns.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
Here’s a rundown of the major methods being developed to hold back the AI image apocalypse.
—Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
The path forward for the bill looks murky with pressures from the agriculture industry prompting countries to hold back their votes.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 26 Mar. 2024
That’s a popular area right below the powerhouse holding back Lake Oahe.
—David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
Traffic wardens hold back cars and motorbikes as the intelligent animals wait, then scamper across busy roads.
—Graeme Green, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Martin holds back tears remembering his costar’s delivery of the speech.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Noun
The other half of the moneys would be released to the clients' captives within 180 days, less some holdback that would last until the reinsurance policy expired (usually at the end of the year), plus some additional days tacked on for the extended reporting period.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
The best rooms look as though they've been decorated over time, like this one featuring a collection of distressed wood dressers, a metal bed frame, and antique drapery holdbacks.
—Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
That's because the manufacturer will typically designate a holdback price, or a percentage of the MSRP or invoice.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
France Télévisions also has first-window exclusivity for the French-language version, with a one-year holdback.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The manufacturer pays the holdback price to the dealership once the dealer sells the vehicle.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
There is a six-month holdback for the launch of the English-language versions in France.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The reason Cannes doesn’t show Netflix films is simply because of the film law in France, which defines a very long holdback period after a film can move from theatrical release to streaming.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 25 Oct. 2022
The Prime Video Original will launch worldwide on the streaming platform and will be available to linear TV and other outlets after a holdback, said Lozano.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Nov. 2022
Verb
Investigators know how the man was killed but are holding back those details for now.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
Blake made safe choices and held back from challenging his vocal range, all while not quite hitting the right notes.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Big shifts in customer behavior, including earlier dinner times and less booze late into the evenings, have held back a return to pre-pandemic patterns.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
Here’s a rundown of the major methods being developed to hold back the AI image apocalypse.
—Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
The path forward for the bill looks murky with pressures from the agriculture industry prompting countries to hold back their votes.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 26 Mar. 2024
That’s a popular area right below the powerhouse holding back Lake Oahe.
—David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
Traffic wardens hold back cars and motorbikes as the intelligent animals wait, then scamper across busy roads.
—Graeme Green, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Martin holds back tears remembering his costar’s delivery of the speech.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holdback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near holdback
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdback. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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