HOLDBACKS Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

holdbacks

noun

plural of holdback

as in delays

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

as in obstacles

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of holdbacks And maybe this is an opportunity to voice something, and that is that independent films from the United States are more and more often being subjected to strategies which used to be dedicated to bigger, more commercial films, in terms of holdbacks. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 June 2026 Universities will continue to deal with the 3% holdbacks — plus another 2% drop — for next fiscal year, according to the statement of purpose for the appropriations bill that senators passed Thursday. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdbacks

Noun

Each blocked multiple lanes and combined to cause miles of delays, which also sent extra traffic into downtown Atlanta.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Just be sure your optical prescription is up to date before placing your order to prevent shipping delays.

— Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of delays

Noun

For many commercial fleets, access to fueling has remained one of the biggest obstacles to adopting natural gas vehicles.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
If the organization is behind on its goals, the CEO may need to take a more active role in key initiatives to help remove obstacles and encourage progress.

— John Abusaid, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstacles

Noun

The rail crossings at Lyndale Avenue North, 45th Avenue North and Humboldt Avenue North are known for long waits as trains run in and out of the rail yard.

— Ashley Grams, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Developers often face long waits for new grid connections, creating demand for power systems that can operate independently.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of waits

Noun

But this notion that AI data centers are quickly popping up everywhere is belied by the fact that their construction faces massive hurdles – regardless of whether anyone wants them in their backyard or not.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
The figure comes from a 2023 report citing an estimate that more than $140 billion in authorized government benefits go unclaimed each year, largely because of administrative hurdles.

— Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurdles

Noun

State justice officials also claimed that Menlo Park forced the developers to pay the city attorney’s legal bills in supporting the municipality’s obstructions against the project.

— George Avalos, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
The tip of a needle can also be helpful for clearing obstructions in the filter.

— Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2026

Definition of obstructions

Noun

Sitting around a table in the soundstage where the pilot for I Love Lucy was filmed, the six of them tailored the roles to the actors and infused the script with arguments, embarrassments, and confessions from their own relationships.

— Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 June 2026
The order to whitewash America’s historic sites of anything less than rosy about the nation’s past has led to some predictable embarrassments.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

Definition of embarrassments

Browse Nearby Words

hold back

holdbacks

hold down

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Holdbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdbacks. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of holdbacks

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

anecdote

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes