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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
And there could have been some holdback.
—Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2025
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
She was wrestled away from him as her crying children were held back by other agents.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
However, the main holdback of the team making this kind of pick is one of their other needs directly relates to how good of a pick Boise State product could be.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
And there could have been some holdback.
—Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
Amid his series of shocking claims about Britney Spears, Kevin Federline did not hold back when he was asked about his ex-wife’s ex-husband Sam Asghari.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
She was wrestled away from him as her crying children were held back by other agents.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
Some firms have scurried to ship early, but even a few days’ delay at sea could blow up their margins.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Amex travel protections vary by card type, but prominent features include trip delay and cancellation insurance, baggage protection, global assistance hotlines, and car rental loss coverage.—
Ben Kelly,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But formidable obstacles remain in the way of a durable peace in Gaza, where a ceasefire collapsed in March after nearly two months of relative calm when Israel unleashed a barrage of airstrikes.—
Alexander Cornwell,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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But even with these obstacles, oddsmakers seem to believe the Bucs have plot armor.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
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With injuries and inconsistency hampering the wide receiver corps, the Commanders are set to host former Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Treylon Burks.—
Josh Buckhalter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both wins have come thanks to a stifling run defense and, conversely, an explosive run offense furnished by the emergence of Rico Dowdle.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The Indians started to put together another seemingly productive drive until a fumble stifled the plans, and Lowell took over in Billerica territory.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Lawmakers earlier this year rejected a proposal from state Superintendent Jill Underly to allow retirees in the Wisconsin Retirement System to be rehired for work 30 days after retiring, rather than the current 75-day wait requirement.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Technology integration, specifically AI, is intended to address issues such as long wait times and order complexity—key concerns for both customers and staff following years of operational turbulence and declining same-store sales.—
Ben Kelly,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The new method could allow the scientific community to overcome one of the key hurdles associated with fusion energy – maintaining plasma stability.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
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Staffing costs and availability are chief among the reasons, the organization adds, both because skilled individuals can’t be sourced in rural areas and because the traditional long hours and on-call schedules poses further hurdles for recruitment.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Since pre-shredded cheeses are coated in anti-caking agents that can impede melting, our Test Kitchen recommends grating your own cheese from a block or wedge.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
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Martinez was charged in federal court with forcibly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with a federal law enforcement officer.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Secret Commonwealth is the condemnation of a world where imagination—not making things up, but a way of seeing, understanding, feeling the world—is suppressed by the dual forces of cold rationality and religious fundamentalisms that breed authoritarianism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
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That power is often used to unfairly influence elections through massive campaign donations, to interfere with independent journalism by buying media outlets, and to suppress competition in markets.—
Scott Ellis,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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