1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of holdbacks
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
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
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This time, however, travelers are already facing long lines and delays due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has left thousands of TSA workers without pay.—
De'Anthony Taylor,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Mar. 2026
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How soon will this help with airport delays?—
John Raby,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But some of the obstacles to growth in Half Moon Bay are self-imposed.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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The robot can respond to voice commands and is programmed to keep safe distances from people and obstacles.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Comfort can be hard to find in the past month, as the partial government shutdown has more and more TSA agents calling out of work, leading to long waits to get through security.—
Madeline Montgomery,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
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Some families have described poor food and long waits for medical attention.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Other giants — John Romero of Doom and Glen Schofield of Dead Space — have had to rethink games because of business hurdles and deals falling through.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
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Last year, Utah became the first state in the country to pass legislation eliminating regulatory hurdles for the installation of plug-in solar panels.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On Wednesday and Thursday, the Public Works Department was staging equipment, working to clear debris from roads and inspecting drainages for obstructions ahead of the next storm’s arrival Thursday night.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
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Currently, the Port Authority pays to have obstructions removed.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Supporters emphasize election integrity, while opponents warn about potential barriers to participation.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
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Winhusen envisions a future where GLP-1 drugs help with one of the most difficult barriers to successful medical treatment — keeping people in treatment.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But often those intentions stumble into a political quagmire where democratic dreams turn into civil war, once-compliant dictators become embarrassments and American soldiers return home in body bags.—
Tim Sullivan,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
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While the turnout had indeed been strong, the decision also came across as an attempt to steady the narrative after a series of logistical embarrassments, reframing disruption as demand.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holdbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdbacks. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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