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
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
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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
-
Still, recent history has thrown obstacles in the way of developers’ timelines for Sacramento-area sports venues.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
It was struck down, eliminating an obstacle for those lawsuits to get to trial.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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
-
Between hugs and stifled tears, players walked up to sift through them.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The space was stifling in the Louisiana heat, so fans were blowing for everyone inside.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 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
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While orders come with a four to seven week wait time, the process is highly personalized.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Separately, industry experts point to fundamental technical hurdles.—
Ruben Nyanguila,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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The landfill project has faced several hurdles and drawn the ire of residents since 2024, when Chisholm filed an application for a permit.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Neither tug was blatant, but both seemed to impede Allende.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Three people with knowledge of those interests said there was consternation among insiders that forcing Maduro out could foment chaos and unrest and impede their access.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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 9 Nov. 2025.
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