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
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 holdback
Big Think, 31 Mar. 2025
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
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Heck, where was the guy doing everything to hold back his own frustrations as Chase was doing across the room?
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
And there is no more holdback suspense doubt.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2025
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
Verb
That doesn’t include those held back for opponents’ fans, student overflow and other promotions that could be released for sale.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Heck, where was the guy doing everything to hold back his own frustrations as Chase was doing across the room?
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
Flyers should try to mitigate any headaches from delays and cancellations by avoiding booking flights with layovers, the non-profit US Public Interest Research Group says, and opt to make reservations directly with the airline rather than a third-party website.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Carriers are required to refund customers whose flights are canceled but not to cover costs such as food and hotels unless a delay or cancellation results from a factor within the control of the airlines, according to the Department of Transportation.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Joint pain that turns stairs into obstacles.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
6 Jan. 2026
-
One other obstacle the White House will need to contend with, Hochstein said, is blowback from Gulf countries and from China.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Damage to the blood-brain barrier leads to inflammation within the brain and hampers the clearance of waste products like beta-amyloid protein (seen in Alzheimer's disease).—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
All of these issues combined have left Target with a workforce that has grown faster than sales and a complex corporate structure that has hampered decision-making and created needless red tape.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,Annie Palmer,Frank Holland,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Overall, though, Joseph's fleet bounced back enough to stifle the tight end for the rest of the half, as Bowers finished with just one catch on three targets.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Lean also refuted claims that bipolar disorder stifles creativity.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Get live security wait times, so you’re not stuck in a five‑hour shuffle line that’s already happening.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
While orders come with a four to seven week wait time, the process is highly personalized.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Billing Headaches Clearing the access hurdles to HIV prevention medicine was just the beginning.—
Zach Dyer,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Development of Greenland’s mineral resources is challenging because of the island’s harsh climate, while strict environmental controls have proved an additional hurdle for potential investors.—
Danica Kirka,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Yet the current administration’s dismissive stance toward mRNA science, particularly COVID vaccines, could impede that effort.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
-
New data shows Loop vacancies ballooned over the recent third quarter as post-pandemic work trends continue to impact and impede demand.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The weight-loss drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs, or GLP-1s, suppress the appetite of users, leading to weight loss.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The experimental once-weekly drug, eloralintide, belongs to the class of drugs that mimic the pancreatic hormone amylin which slows digestion and suppresses hunger.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share