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
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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
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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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2
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
held back her tears until she was alone
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of holdback
Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
There is a six-month holdback for the launch of the English-language versions in France.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Yet, uncertainty has held back some spending already.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for holdback 
Noun
The manufacturer pays the holdback price to the dealership once the dealer sells the vehicle.
—Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
There is a six-month holdback for the launch of the English-language versions in France.
—Martin Dale, Variety, 11 Jan. 2023
Verb
During October, growth of the floating ice was held back by significantly warmer temperatures than average.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Yet, uncertainty has held back some spending already.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
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The latest: Travelers heading out of the airport should expect delays on North Harbor Drive near West Laurel Street/Anchor Island this week.Kate Murphy, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
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Nvidia previously faced production and shipping delays for Blackwell due to a design flaw, Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said in October, after media reports surfaced in August.Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Despite the obstacles, many countries have committed to mediator roles.Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
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Many inferior systems don't provide enough illumination to enable a driver going 55 mph on a straight road to stop in time after spotting an obstacle in the vehicle’s path.Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But it has not been shut down or hampered by government action even under Biden, and the new Trump administration likely also won’t take any action against it.CNN.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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The massive pier project was hampered by unexpected bad weather and security issues, as well as persistent safety issues involving Israeli forces that prompted aid agencies to halt distribution of the supplies out of fear of being injured and killed.Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Russell Wilson engineered an offense that moved the ball well enough to set up Chris Boswell’s franchise record-tying six field goals, and the defense stifled the Ravens.Jack Magruder, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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Trying to break up Google harks back to a similar punishment initially imposed on Microsoft a quarter century ago following another major antitrust trial that culminated in a federal judge deciding the software maker had illegally used his Windows operating system for PCs to stifle competition.CBS News, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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About two dozen voting locations in Pima County saw wait times of more than 20 minutes.Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
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Within the first hour of voting, several voters reported wait times between 30 to 45 minutes.Madison Lammert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The news sparked a relief rally among investors, boosting confidence in the company’s ability to navigate regulatory hurdles.Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
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Yet, achieving this alignment is challenging due to three significant hurdles: change, challenge, and choice.Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
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He was arrested in Savannah and is charged with felony counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and obstruction of law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., said in a statement.Phil Helsel, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
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Prosecutors were accusing Bundy of possessing firearms in a federal facility and of conspiring to impede federal officers.Matt Thompson, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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According to Richard Seager, a climate scientist at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the cause of the current drought is some random atmospheric variability: a high-pressure system over the central and eastern United States that is suppressing rainfall and refusing to budge.M. R. O’Connor, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
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How to cope right now Don’t suppress your emotions, process them In the immediate aftermath of the election results, you may be flooded with emotions ranging from despair to rage.Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near holdback
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
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