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
-
Passengers were provided meal vouchers and undisclosed compensation for their delay, the spokesperson said.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Take Calculated Risks; Start Lean Entrepreneurs should welcome uncertainty as a catalyst, not an obstacle.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
In Region 4 in Spokane, the biggest obstacle facing the No. 2 seed Huskies is No. 1 seed USC — which defeated UConn in Hartford in December.—
Scott Phillips,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Over recent weeks, CISA employees, all speaking on the condition of anonymity, had told Forbes morale was low and concerns were high that important work was being hampered by the cuts.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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Both Iran and North Korea could then use Russian nuclear and missile technology to develop advanced weapons that would hamper the U.S. military’s response options in East Asia and the Middle East—and even threaten the American homeland.—
Christopher S. Chivvis,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Even Millie Bobby Brown, in a joke interview with her 2024 self, mentioned the long wait.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2025
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Ironically, after such a long wait for Android 15 Samsung Galaxy owners may not have that long to enjoy it — if the Android 15 delays are not repeated, of course.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is a hurdle that can only be overcome with time and education for customers.—
Manish Mittal,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
-
One hurdle for streaming video users is that many services don't work with VPNs.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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 1 Apr. 2025.
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