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
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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
-
Analysts say Kim's vilification of South Korea reflects his view that Seoul, which helped set up his first meetings with Trump, is no longer a useful intermediary with Washington but an obstacle to his effort to establish a more assertive regional footing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This season has one of the greatest obstacles between the leads.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
India is feeling the heat as tensions in the Middle East show no signs of cooling, with high oil prices likely to increase the country’s already substantial energy import bill, while disruptions to flight routes hamper airline operations.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Insurance exclusions can ultimately hamper any claims In the current Middle East situation, the most consequential lines in your policy are around exclusions for war, acts of war, hostilities, or military action.—
Scott Campbell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 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
-
At the Legacy Learning Center in Haslet, Republicans are having to wait up to an hour to get to a voting machine, but Democrats have little to no wait at all.—
Rachel Royster
Updated March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Long lines, waits reported for Democrats in Arlington At the Tarrant County Subcourthouse in Arlington, some voters were contending with long lines Tuesday afternoon.—
From Staff Reports,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An additional hurdle is that Mojtaba is not a high-ranking cleric and has no official role in the regime.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Building a functional intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking the US would require overcoming substantial technical hurdles, such as producing a nuclear warhead and successfully miniaturizing it, Eliana Johns, a Federation of American Scientists senior research associate, said.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 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
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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
-
Leaves not only suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, but are also more environmentally friendly than bark mulch or landscape fabric.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
-
His father, Iran's last king, had a close relationship with the United States, but he was also known for suppressing opposition and showering his friends with wealth.—
Scott Pelley,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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