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
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Recent Examples of holdback
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
If the house is not sold after 180 days, the company retains what remains of the 30% holdback.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Reporting teams have held back on submitting story pitches about important news topics out of fear of the internal repercussions.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
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
If the house is not sold after 180 days, the company retains what remains of the 30% holdback.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
Test scores are just one data point that may be used in determining if a child should be held back, alongside classroom grades, teacher recommendations and attendance.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Reporting teams have held back on submitting story pitches about important news topics out of fear of the internal repercussions.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
Sanfilippo is a fatal pediatric neurodegenerative disorder, with each delay in treatment equaling permanent neurological decline.—
Elise Esposito,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
Artemis program Due to the Mark 1 issues outlined above, there will either be significant delays to, or the need to restructure the early phases of, the Moon Base program.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The first robot stumbles on aluminum debris, its wheels furiously trying to get traction and move around the obstacle.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
That disconnect is beginning to create what could become the new trust economy—one in which governance, authentication, transparency and accountability become strategic advantages for the companies in this space, rather than just operational or compliance obstacles.—
Jacques Ledbetter,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Roupp’s night, though, comes with a caveat because the righty was hampered by back discomfort.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
-
Reducing false positives and negatives Real-world conditions such as poor lighting, difficult viewing angles, extreme facial expressions, concealment by face masks or sunglasses, and poor image quality can still hamper performance, leading to faulty identification.—
Vijayan Asari,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Everyone was very, very, very religious, but specifically Christianity and Catholicism, which in my opinion are very stifling religions that are very God-fearing.—
Louis Staples,
Glamour,
27 May 2026
-
Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
At busy times there can be a wait for drinks at the Pink Bar, but staff will remember your favourite tipple after a day or two.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
While the average wait time for a kidney in the United States is two to five years, in large states like California, the wait time exceeds five years.—
Gabriel Schnickel,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, compared to nearby countries that have counteracted the economic effects of aging populations with new immigrants and their children, Italy has set more hurdles on the path to citizenship for those without native ancestry, even if they are born in the country.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
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Negotiating the first hurdle is followed by three sets of group-phase challenges home and away, played on Thursdays in October, November and December, to make it to the knockout stage in the New Year.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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This ruling sets a troubling precedent that undermines protections afforded to interstate commerce and impedes site remediation, as well as the safe and effective long-term management of these materials for customers in Michigan and throughout the country.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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His attempts to impede the certification of the 2020 election led to him being charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, alongside hundreds of January 6th rioters.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Economists have cautioned that the US-Israeli war with Iran and the related oil and supply shock could suppress hiring activity in the United States.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
His puck-moving play was completely suppressed in the offensive zone, too.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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