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
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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
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Markram was held back to the middle order, and scored a rapid 42 off 22 balls, with Mukul Choudhary 21 not out off 17.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 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
Top pitching prospect Payton Tolle was scheduled to pitch for Worcester this weekend as well but is being held back in case he’s needed for a doubleheader in Boston, Cora said.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Markram was held back to the middle order, and scored a rapid 42 off 22 balls, with Mukul Choudhary 21 not out off 17.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
Plane outlets are often slow, loose, or even nonexistent, and when delays stack up, a dead phone becomes a real problem—not just an inconvenience.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The lanes are shut down on the Palmetto between 58th and 36th streeets, causing major delays and backups.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the end, the deepest release isn’t about getting a medical tag, but rather about understanding why those unrelenting obstacles continued to exist.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Because Anna and Matteo were never actually together, her clear attraction with Michael doesn’t face any meaningful obstacles, aside from some obligatory (and weakly justified) initial sniping between the two leads.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My enjoyment was always hampered by trying to manipulate and enlarge the grid.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Bodies were sighted, but fuel that could have been easily ignited and the natural terrain hampered rescue efforts to the point where even airboats were eventually prohibited from skimming the river of grass to help.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the California School Boards Association staunchly opposed that legislation, arguing the bill stifled local decision-making.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Setting aside the fact that these same people have done everything within their power to stifle regulation, this is self-evidently true.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Transit experts say long waits and congestion stem from inconsistent service.—
Yaelis Pena,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Some also raised concerns about access to food and other necessities during the extended wait.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Then, for Artemis IV, there are even greater hurdles.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 23-year-old was also sentenced to an additional year in prison for assaulting, resisting and impeding federal officers.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Miguel Angel Garcia Martinez faced more than 20 years in prison because of a felony assault, resist and impede case before it was dropped last month.—
Ryan Oehrli
April 16,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier, Britain suppressed a communist insurgency in Malaya, today part of Malaysia.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The lawyer noted the statement could be suppressed in court if it was obtained through leading questions, a prolonged interrogation, or coercive tactics.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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