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
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 May 2025
And there is no more holdback suspense doubt.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2025
Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Concerns about security risks are a big factor holding back AI adoption by large businesses.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
The all-cash deal includes $75 million in holdbacks tied to certain performance targets and milestones over the next two years.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 May 2025
And there is no more holdback suspense doubt.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
South Alabama players held back Harris who was trying to reengage Hueston.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Concerns about security risks are a big factor holding back AI adoption by large businesses.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
This delay meant that, as guests waited for the ceremony to begin, the sun had set and candles had to be lit inside the church.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Motorists should anticipate delays, plan ahead and choose alternate routes.—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Flying the morning of an important presentation may not raise any obvious red flags, but that tight scheduling leaves no margin for unexpected obstacles, like weather events or mechanical issues.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The obstacles are mutable and insidious.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
-
When Cross-Goldenberg asked if the speedy trial violation that tanked the state case had to do with a reluctant witness, Reid said the case was hampered by a problem with the discovery process, since state prosecutors didn’t hand over material to the defense in a timely fashion.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An intensification of violence in Iran and the Gulf triggered a global stock selloff earlier this week, driving credit risk gauges higher and stifling primary issuance.—
Claire Ruckin,
Bloomberg,
5 Mar. 2026
-
That narrative stifled research on Polish antisemitism and Poles who killed Jews during and after the Holocaust.—
Shira Li Bartov,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The partial government shutdown has caused lengthy wait times for travelers at some airport security checkpoints where the Transportation Security Administration is short-staffed.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport said Monday TSA waits can extend up to two hours and advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their flight.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Years of inflation, high mortgage rates and skyrocketing home prices have made buying a home a major hurdle for many Americans.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Barrios said the money for vehicle maintenance could help pay to replace the city’s Chollas Operation Yard, which can’t be rebuilt or expanded because of environmental hurdles.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The incident resulted in a ticket for impeding traffic, for which she was ordered to pay $197 after pleading no contest in Orange County court on Monday.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Since the proposal became public last month, parents and students have argued closures would impede students’ academic and social well-being, lead to longer school commutes and exacerbate the struggle to find child care.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bondi wants to suppress, or at least stall, state Bar investigations against them.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Which stories persist, which fade and which are actively suppressed are decisions increasingly made by private companies rather than public institutions.—
Arnaud Kurze,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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