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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of holdback
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
And there could have been some holdback.
—Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2025
Amanda Sims, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
The Red Sox have always ranked among the league’s heavyweights in terms of financial resources, but throughout the club’s recent five-year rebuild, ownership seemed content to hold back.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
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
And there could have been some holdback.
—Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
Luque agrees that the entryway isn’t the time to hold back.
—Amanda Sims, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
The Red Sox have always ranked among the league’s heavyweights in terms of financial resources, but throughout the club’s recent five-year rebuild, ownership seemed content to hold back.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
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What To Know Propel surveyed 2,463 active SNAP users between October 20 and 21, 2025, to assess how a potential delay in SNAP payments would impact them.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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On Friday evening, airports in Phoenix, Houston and San Diego were reporting delays because of staffing issues, and the Federal Aviation Administration warned that staffing problems were also possible at airports in the New York area, Dallas and Philadelphia.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But formidable obstacles remain in the way of a durable peace in Gaza, where a ceasefire collapsed in March after nearly two months of relative calm when Israel unleashed a barrage of airstrikes.—
Alexander Cornwell,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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But even with these obstacles, oddsmakers seem to believe the Bucs have plot armor.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Laboratory testing capacities at the CDC and expert guidance to analyze local trends may also be hampered during the shutdown, experts say.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Both wins have come thanks to a stifling run defense and, conversely, an explosive run offense furnished by the emergence of Rico Dowdle.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
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The Indians started to put together another seemingly productive drive until a fumble stifled the plans, and Lowell took over in Billerica territory.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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After a two-hour wait, Wanda Bright had finally reached the front of the line — just as the first batch of supplies ran out.—
Jenny Abamu,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
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There are nationwide nurse shortages, declining numbers of primary care providers, overflowing hospitals, and ever-increasing ER wait times.—
Dr. Bryce Pulliam,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The new method could allow the scientific community to overcome one of the key hurdles associated with fusion energy – maintaining plasma stability.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
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Staffing costs and availability are chief among the reasons, the organization adds, both because skilled individuals can’t be sourced in rural areas and because the traditional long hours and on-call schedules poses further hurdles for recruitment.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Since pre-shredded cheeses are coated in anti-caking agents that can impede melting, our Test Kitchen recommends grating your own cheese from a block or wedge.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
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Martinez was charged in federal court with forcibly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with a federal law enforcement officer.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That hearing was expected to include Mitchell and her top prosecutors taking the stand to defend their decisions and prove that charging the protesters was not meant to suppress their viewpoints.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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Most of us are socialized not just to suck it up, never to cry or show emotions, but also to suppress, go silent, hide, run away, act as if there is no agony.—
Kevin Powell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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