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
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
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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
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Recent Examples of holdback
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Amount of any indemnity escrow or holdback for indemnification claims by the buyer and the period of the escrow/holdback (an attractive scenario for a seller is for an escrow of no more than 5-10% of the purchase price with an escrow or holdback period of no more than 9 to 12 months).
—Allbusiness, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
What could possibly hold back the Pirates from showing Skenes the bank?
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Noun
Japan has very specific holdback structures for their content that are just different from America’s.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Amount of any indemnity escrow or holdback for indemnification claims by the buyer and the period of the escrow/holdback (an attractive scenario for a seller is for an escrow of no more than 5-10% of the purchase price with an escrow or holdback period of no more than 9 to 12 months).
—Allbusiness, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
Coach Adam Levine, who had to make the final call between Moore and Camille, didn’t hold back in his praise.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
What could possibly hold back the Pirates from showing Skenes the bank?
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
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This is critical because Samsung was falling behind in security updates just as the Android world obsesses about its delays on Android OS upgrades as well.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Its Facebook account shows several shipping delays over the past year due to mechanical failures.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Your passion must propel you forward when obstacles arise.—
Jay Ruderman,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
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Many beneficiaries already face obstacles getting through to the Social Security’s phone lines to make an in-person appointment and then need to drive to a field office, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Aly Song | Reuters Trump's tariffs on China are already hampering Christmas sales.—
Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Jeff Cox,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
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The deep budget cuts at HHS have also hampered the nation’s disease-detection capacity and pandemic preparedness with respect to pathogens such as bird flu, according to experts.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, when leaders insist on perfect solutions, employees become reluctant to share ideas or take necessary risks, stifling innovation.—
Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Semiconductor stocks that have struggled on fears that tariffs could stifle demand for many consumer products and slow the economy also jumped.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The wait is over: Netflix’s long-running dark satirical anthology series, Black Mirror, officially returns on April 10.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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From there, the wait begins — standard processing can take anywhere from three to six months, sometimes more.—
Alex Ashley,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Join 80 others in the comments View Comments The documentation required by each state also varies, and ID seekers discussing the REAL ID process online have commented on hurdles for people who have had name changes or other inconsistencies in their documentation.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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Data Sharing Without Risk Security and trust remain critical hurdles.—
Shekar Natarajan,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Maintaining a vigorous, healthy lawn is a good way to impede weed establishment and problematic perennials like dandelions.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2025
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Williams’ Carlos Sainz initially qualified 12th but was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Hamilton, causing a shakeup in the order of those who were knocked out in Q2.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To tell the Blue Devils, basically, not to suppress their emotions.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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Older, post-menopausal women are especially susceptible, since lower estrogen levels can lead to decreased levels of beneficial bacteria that suppress infection-causing bacteria.—
Alice Park,
TIME,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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