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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
held back her tears until she was alone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of holdback
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
If the house is not sold after 180 days, the company retains what remains of the 30% holdback.
—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
23 June 2026
Seven years ago, a group of Black families had the old developments inscribed on the National Register of Historic Places, hoping to hold back the tide.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
Add curtain holdbacks with playful animal details, or top your door hinges with decorative hinge caps for a knowing wink of whimsy.
—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
If the house is not sold after 180 days, the company retains what remains of the 30% holdback.
—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
Expertly interpreted by Jacobson, Tangles is Sarah’s story, a free spirit still held back due to her responsibility as a loving daughter.
—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
23 June 2026
Seven years ago, a group of Black families had the old developments inscribed on the National Register of Historic Places, hoping to hold back the tide.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
Follow evacuation instructions without delay.
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But with just a 60-day window to finalize a deal, any delay leaves less time to negotiate peace.
Noun
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Despite these obstacles, the Cuban government faces a short window for obtaining results, said Paolo Spadoni, associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University in Georgia.
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Rather than simply advocating for preservation, the organization is working directly with property owners to better understand what obstacles stand in the way of restoring some of Hollywood’s most recognizable landmarks.
Verb
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Brown was hampered by a back injury in college, but that wasn’t enough to scare away the Nets.
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Investors are advised to avoid ASA, as its future performance appears hampered by both gold's current stagnation and management issues.
Verb
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The governor has raised concerns that the tax would drive the state’s wealthiest residents out of California, doing long-term damage to the state’s tax base and stifling innovation.
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After feeling stifled in the corporate world, Gaudin said Inches has given him the freedom to embrace his creativity and show other LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs that ownership is possible.
Noun
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Having ended a 28-year wait to make it here, the duo have not suffered from stage fright.
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Prior authorization saves money for insurers partly by making patients pay a price in wait times and inconvenience, said Miranda Yaver, a University of Pittsburgh health policy researcher studying the technique.
Noun
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But the technology still faces hurdles, experts said, and labor groups including the Teamsters are raising alarms over safety and availability of jobs.
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Cuban leaders like former President Raúl Castro – who still wields significant power on the island – have sought to push forward more limited reforms of Cuba’s economy in the past, but efforts have run into bureaucratic hurdles.
Verb
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The score was immediately protested by the Australians, who felt their goalkeeper had been impeded or there was an offside.
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Too large a rotor can obstruct your suspension, impede your brakes and often won’t even fit inside your wheel or caliper.
Verb
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Things like trying to disqualify the entire Utah County Attorney's Office, trying to get some of the evidence suppressed, trying to get a contempt order because the prosecutors violated the court's gag order.
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One key group that appeared to be suppressed, Prevotella species, may interfere with the production of nitric oxide.
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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