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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
held back her tears until she was alone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of holdback
Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The manufacturer pays the holdback price to the dealership once the dealer sells the vehicle.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
From limitation to expansion Don’t hold back on your dreams.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for holdback 
Noun
France Télévisions also has first-window exclusivity for the French-language version, with a one-year holdback.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
The manufacturer pays the holdback price to the dealership once the dealer sells the vehicle.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
Verb
But the film, which stars Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna, is holding back on early screenings while banking on this being an exciting discovery.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
From limitation to expansion Don’t hold back on your dreams.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
In the face of the delay of bringing the mission to its full operational strength of 2,500, the security situation continues to deteriorate.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
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Now, county officials are calling for an independent investigation into the delay of the evacuation alert — which comes on the heels of other issues with the emergency alert system, including erroneously calling for the evacuation of other parts of the county on Thursday, Jan. 9.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Leaders should face obstacles with a growth mindset — challenges are opportunities to learn, innovate and demonstrate grit, inspiring their teams to do the same.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
29 Jan. 2025
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Studios, whose business model is founded on strong copyright protections, have expressed concern that AI tools could be inhibited by regulatory obstacles.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Both homebuyers and current homeowners are hampered by today’s higher interest rates.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2025
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During major emergencies that communication can be hampered by issues such as limited radio connectivity, wind noise or other technical problems.—
Christopher L. Keller,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to the expansive damage to homes that can drive deep, costly repairs, extreme weather events like these also cause catastrophic damage to minority communities’ basic infrastructure and functionality, stifling local commerce, transportation, and access to healthcare.—
Jerel Ezell,
TIME,
28 Jan. 2025
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Anunoby and Bridges use their length and versatility to stifle ball movement and lock down primary scorers, while Hart relentlessly hunts 50/50 balls.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Niccol joined Starbucks in September to rescue the chain after boycotts, price increases and lengthy wait times prompted a rare decline in visits.—
Bloomberg,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
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Batista-Rodriguez said the long wait times in the ED at Baptist Health’s Kendall Hospital prompted the construction of the system’s first standalone emergency room, Baptist Health Emergency Care in West Kendall.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Several parties are in contention even as potential buyers face a litany of legal hurdles and barriers.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2025
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An administration in the future could resurrect the rule and avoid some of the procedural hurdles.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Walker, in fact, explains that one of the by-products of alcohol metabolism is a class of chemicals, known as aldehydes, that are especially prone to impede REM sleep.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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These teams all have franchise players to build around and some contracts that would impede them from fully committing to the tear-down process.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Demographers have found little, if any, evidence that EWIs harm or suppress the employment or wages of local people.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
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To keep shooting, Pasha must suppress his rage and only dares to carry out small protests — such as playing the U.S. national anthem sung by Lady Gaga — but those are enough to earn him suspicion.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near holdback
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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