1
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
there'll be a holdback on production until the new machinery is fully installed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the only holdback to starting the new job is my contractual commitment to my current position
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to hamper
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the only thing holding them back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
held back her tears until she was alone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of holdback
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Japan has very specific holdback structures for their content that are just different from America’s.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Lawler and a group of other House Republicans held back their support until the cap was raised from the current $10,000.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
However, the main holdback of the team making this kind of pick is one of their other needs directly relates to how good of a pick Boise State product could be.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Japan has very specific holdback structures for their content that are just different from America’s.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
Trump sees elevated interest rates as constraining business investment and stifling job growth, holding back the economy from reaching its potential.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Lawler and a group of other House Republicans held back their support until the cap was raised from the current $10,000.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
After a brief rain delay in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Hurricanes again couldn’t string together any hits to cut into the Cardinals’ lead.—
Cameron Priester,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
Musk officially completed his acquisition of Twitter after months of delays.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Existing Challenges While the impact of these types of fintechs is already significant, their work is not without its own set of obstacles, and several ongoing challenges remain.—
Murtaza Ali,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Raise the stakes, place insuperable obstacles before the protagonist, have the protagonist somehow surmount them while becoming braver and better.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2025
-
Hundreds of law enforcement officers at the local, state and federal level spent nearly two weeks searching for Hardin, using dogs, drones and aircraft, at times hampered by severe weather.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
The argument goes that laws like CEQA in part drive the housing and infrastructure crises in blue states that are stifling the party’s political fortunes.—
Liam Dillon,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
-
To be a woman is to be fraught with stifling expectations about how to look, act, dress and be.—
Violet Goldstone,
Footwear News,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Then Johnson tapped in Pape Sarr’s cross for the only goal in the Europa League final, ending Tottenham Hotspur’s 41-year wait for European silverware.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
Both events offer live entertainment, themed food, and access to select park attractions with generally shorter wait times than during the day How scary is Universal Halloween Horror Nights?—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Though House approval is still needed, the Senate vote marked a major hurdle, because the stadium incentives stalled there last month.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 June 2025
-
Diagnosis Delays Hurt Women’s Outcomes Even before a clinical trial is an option, women face significant hurdles in getting a diagnosis.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The affair did not impede Smotrich’s ascent as a settler activist and politician.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
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Any action that impedes these dynamics should be flatly rejected because unnecessarily regulating a competitive marketplace will only harm consumers.—
Michael Santorelli,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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In his motion to dismiss Bragg’s case, Mangione’s lawyers argued his statements to officers after his arrest should be suppressed because he wasn’t informed of his rights, which the DA’s office contests.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
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Young men might be more likely to suppress emotional expression, engage in risk-taking behavior, or use substances to cope with grief.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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