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
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 holdback
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Amount of any indemnity escrow or holdback for indemnification claims by the buyer and the period of the escrow/holdback (an attractive scenario for a seller is for an escrow of no more than 5-10% of the purchase price with an escrow or holdback period of no more than 9 to 12 months).
—Allbusiness, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 14 Apr. 2025
An oft-expressionless player could not hold back a celebration.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
Japan has very specific holdback structures for their content that are just different from America’s.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Amount of any indemnity escrow or holdback for indemnification claims by the buyer and the period of the escrow/holdback (an attractive scenario for a seller is for an escrow of no more than 5-10% of the purchase price with an escrow or holdback period of no more than 9 to 12 months).
—Allbusiness, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
Definitely don’t hold back […] Give them everything.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 14 Apr. 2025
An oft-expressionless player could not hold back a celebration.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
Under cost-cutting orders from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, purchasing cards had been frozen, requiring approvals for all but emergency expenses, which sometimes meant lengthy delays.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
At least three victims in the case also opposed a trial delay, prosecutors said.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Your passion must propel you forward when obstacles arise.—
Jay Ruderman,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Many beneficiaries already face obstacles getting through to the Social Security’s phone lines to make an in-person appointment and then need to drive to a field office, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Aly Song | Reuters Trump's tariffs on China are already hampering Christmas sales.—
Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Jeff Cox,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The deep budget cuts at HHS have also hampered the nation’s disease-detection capacity and pandemic preparedness with respect to pathogens such as bird flu, according to experts.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Still, the move represents another case of leaders stifling the tools of the minority and deferring to Trump.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
-
However, when leaders insist on perfect solutions, employees become reluctant to share ideas or take necessary risks, stifling innovation.—
Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The wait is over: Netflix’s long-running dark satirical anthology series, Black Mirror, officially returns on April 10.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
From there, the wait begins — standard processing can take anywhere from three to six months, sometimes more.—
Alex Ashley,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
These financial hurdles can lead to the perception that technology adoption simply isn’t worth it.—
James Lindsey,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Now that many of the technical hurdles have been cleared, stem cells appear poised to offer a new treatment option for Parkinson's, and perhaps other brain diseases like epilepsy or Alzheimer's.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Williams’ Carlos Sainz initially qualified 12th but was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Hamilton, causing a shakeup in the order of those who were knocked out in Q2.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Maintaining a vigorous, healthy lawn is a good way to impede weed establishment and problematic perennials like dandelions.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The players argue the defendants have suppressed players’ earnings and other professional opportunities.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Incretin drugs mimic certain gut hormones to suppress a person’s appetite and regulate blood sugar.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share