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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Porter focused on cutting bureaucracy, calling for a single statewide development permit to streamline approvals and reduce delays.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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Police have asked those traveling around the area to plan for delays and try alternative routes if possible.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 May 2026
Noun
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These obstacles seemed insurmountable, but the group pushed on for over three years.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
The stadium deal in Vancouver is one of the biggest obstacles in trying to keep the team there.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Bisignano promised to bring waits down to under ten minutes.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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Under Noem, lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration with long waits for assistance for disaster survivors, and for federal grant money to protect people across the country from floods, fires and storms.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Some Democrats revive the promise of single-payer healthcare Some of the sharpest exchanges occurred over single-payer healthcare, a policy vision that Newsom embraced on the campaign trail and abandoned in office when faced with the daunting price tag and political hurdles.—
Ben Paviour
May 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
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Despite the initial hurdles, Hale persevered in a house full of toxic haters and fought her way back from the very bottom of the pecking order to become the first Black woman to win Big Brother and the show’s America’s Favorite Player award in one fell swoop.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Noun
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If safe, residents are asked to remove any obstructions to the public street, right of way, and sidewalk.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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But the Scot hooked his second shot from a wet fairway on the 609-yard closing hole — a par 5 that yielded only 10 birdies in the final round — and even after getting relief from temporary immovable obstructions, MacIntyre could only hit wedge to 30 feet.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The council also exempted from SB 79 areas that are close to a transit stop but violate the spirit of SB 79 because residents can’t walk to it easily because of barriers like canyons, freeways or a lack of sidewalks.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Educating women on maternal health matters is just one of the initiatives of the nonprofit that hopes to break down health access barriers in a tangible way.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
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The professional embarrassments even take place at the level of state supreme courts.—
Martin Kaste,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
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That’s not only because judges are fining more lawyers for their laziness, but because the publicity about these embarrassments has been inescapable.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holdbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdbacks. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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