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
Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
France Télévisions also has first-window exclusivity for the French-language version, with a one-year holdback.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
Murat Ates, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
False limits holding back location-independent entrepreneurs The biggest barrier to building a thriving business while traveling is mindset.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
That's because the manufacturer will typically designate a holdback price, or a percentage of the MSRP or invoice.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
France Télévisions also has first-window exclusivity for the French-language version, with a one-year holdback.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
Verb
In both cases, Winnipeg appears to be held back by its shorthanded goaltending — 19th-best throughout the season and second-worst since the break.
—Murat Ates, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
False limits holding back location-independent entrepreneurs The biggest barrier to building a thriving business while traveling is mindset.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
Latency is another issue, as real-time AI audio processing requires significant computational power, which can lead to delays in live applications like gaming.—
Harshal Shah,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Despite SpaceX picking up the national security slack during Vulcan delays, the ULA rocket’s capability is something Space Force personnel have anxiously awaited. Brig.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Rather than replace the free-for-all with a streamlined review process, restaurants seeking approval for new sheds hit delay after delay, bureaucratic obstacle after bureaucratic obstacle.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2025
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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
Verb
-
Frederiksen said that other European nations are also on Denmark's side in this back-and-forth with Trump, already hampering the ties between the U.S. and its allies since Trump regained office.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2025
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With a starting rotation hampered by injuries, the Mets are going to rely on the offense and bullpen to get them through the beginning of the season.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Scholars have been discussing for years this tension, exploring if and to what extent regulation stifles innovation.—
Nizan Geslevich Packin,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Article 34 of the Turkish Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly without prior permission, now holds little weight in an environment in which political repression stifles dissent by the public and obstructs any meaningful resistance movement.—
Bilal Bilici,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But the on-again, off-again nature of the process has resulted in a bewildered industry that has adopted a wait and see approach to investment decisions and supply chain alterations.—
Jerrold Lundquist,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Over the last few weeks, following significant cuts to the agency by DOGE, SSA has suffered frequent website crashes and long wait times over the phone, The Washington Post reported this week.—
Jon Brodkin,
ArsTechnica,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This is a hurdle that can only be overcome with time and education for customers.—
Manish Mittal,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Address Challenges: While change agents have great potential, there are hurdles that can hinder their effectiveness, such as strict hierarchies, lack of clarity and insufficient support from leadership.—
Venkat Rao,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Whereas, for example, if AI is part of a feature set, one component faulting does not necessarily cause the user to feel their tasks have been impeded.—
Agur Jõgi,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Britain’s youth are grappling with worse mental health now than 10 years ago, pushing more of them out of employment than their middle-aged peers and impeding their career growth.—
BYPrarthana Prakash,
Fortune Europe,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
To tell the Blue Devils, basically, not to suppress their emotions.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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The new, later Equal Pay Day marks a troubling reminder of how systemic barriers—ranging from occupational segregation to discrimination in hiring and promotion—continue to suppress the earning power of Black women.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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