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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Japan has very specific holdback structures for their content that are just different from America’s.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Keir Simmons, NBC news, 20 May 2025
Rather than hold back music for months, why not just put everything out there and see what happens?
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 May 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
Japan has very specific holdback structures for their content that are just different from America’s.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
And Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the White House is not asking the Senate to hold back on a bill that would slap a 500% tariff on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, gas and other products.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 20 May 2025
Rather than hold back music for months, why not just put everything out there and see what happens?
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
Nola’s delay Two days ago, Aaron Nola tested his sprained right ankle for the first time since going on the injured list May 16.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
-
The game was supposed to start at 5 p.m., but heavy rains moved into the area just before gametime, drenching the fields and causing the delay.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
The Times spoke to both sides, as well as multiple experts to better understand the high-stakes litigation, which faces obstacles but could shake up California’s home insurance industry.—
Laurence Darmiento,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
-
Kennedy’s announcement does not broadly address healthy adults, but under the new FDA framework, healthy adults who wish to receive the fall COVID-19 vaccine will likely face obstacles.—
Libby Richards,
The Conversation,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2025
-
Online shopping has been severely hampered at the retailer due to outages to its website that are expected to last into July.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
This approach, while designed for mass instruction, often stifles the very curiosity that makes learning exciting.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Huawei has become the face of China’s tech ambitions — and of U.S. attempts to stifle them.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
In healthcare, Canadian hospitals are experiencing record wait times.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Additionally, average call wait times have risen from just over an hour to 86 minutes this year, reaching a peak of 112 minutes in January following the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
That can include language hurdles, arranging child care or elder care, and significant differences in national pension or retirement programs.—
Christina Larson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
-
Lawmakers are wrestling over President Donald Trump’s multi-trillion-dollar tax and spending package, which passed in the House on Thursday, and could face hurdles in the Senate.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
The Justice Department announced charges against McIver on May 19 for assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement related to an altercation at a Newark immigration facility.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
Representative LaMonica McIver has been charged with allegedly assaulting, resisting, and impeding law enforcement officers following an incident outside of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in New Jersey.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
Eight engines, three water tenders, two dozers and one hand crew are working to suppress the fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
26 May 2025
-
And in 1955, the McGee Fire burned through much of Converse Basin, consuming second-growth sequoias and demonstrating the dangers of suppressing all fires.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share