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
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 May 2025
And there is no more holdback suspense doubt.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2025
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Malinin could empathize as Glenn held back tears on the ice.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 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
And neither held back in describing just how punishing the ride turned out to be.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Malinin could empathize as Glenn held back tears on the ice.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
The agency has struggled to meet federal and state deadlines, with over one-third of cash assistance cases still facing delays as of late 2024 and throughout 2025.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Every month of permitting delays or grid interconnection backlogs is a month where investment risks flowing elsewhere.—
Stuart Loren,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Waterfield’s view, the single biggest obstacle for genetic genealogy is the cost of lab work and rising upload fees associated with the DNA databases relied upon by investigators.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Anything that was anti-Jewish—a story about exclusion, an obstacle that hadn’t come down, a disapproving enumeration of supposedly Jewish traits—was possibly more fascinating.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This mounting deficit has hampered planning in San Diego ever since.—
Nico Calavita,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Trojans eventually settled in on offense, but their stifling defense would have to lead the way throughout.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Democrats’ Biden-era goals of raising taxes on wealthy Americans and big companies to fund upgrades to health care, education, and clean energy were somewhat stifled by their 50-50 majority.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Officials say the wait will be worth it because the old bridge is notorious for delays.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The wait tends to form around cafés, bakeries and restaurants that are deeply intentional about sourcing, craft and presentation.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Florida bills would do much of that work by forcing married and divorced women to navigate expensive bureaucratic hurdles to match their maiden and married names.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Had there been hurdles to that process before this latest round of negotiations happened?—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Aid groups say the true war death toll could be many times higher, as the fighting in vast and remote areas impedes access.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Although privacy advocates have praised the ability of encryption to effectively scramble messages so third parties are unable to snoop on people’s conversations, various members of law enforcement have said that doing so impedes their ability to investigate certain crimes.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In August 2025, a judge concluded that Vedam had not been given a fair trial due to prosecutors’ efforts to suppress evidence.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But dismissing or minimizing disappointment can unintentionally teach children to ignore or suppress emotions.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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