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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdbacks
Noun
-
Unlike clumsier species that struggle with obstacles, the black mamba leverages every surface with surgical precision, effectively turning the landscape into a series of launchpads.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025 -
One of the biggest obstacles, however, is the approach the United States takes to preventing salmonella contamination.—
Vanessa Gera and Kerstin Sopke,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Hamer said that if tariffs result in reduced barriers to trade, Texas could benefit from being able to sell more goods.—
Kate Marijolovic,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2025
-
State and local health departments were beginning to overcome last year's barriers to bird flu testing, said Salvador Sandoval, a doctor who retired recently from the Merced County health department in California.—
Amy Maxmen | KFF Health News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Holdbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdbacks. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share