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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2026
Aleksi held back from revealing too much about his current life.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 24 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
That’s left the threat of a trade battle on top of the current legal challenge, which is holding back implementation of the OSA to underwrite the cost of homegrown content production in the streaming era.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 May 2026
Aleksi held back from revealing too much about his current life.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 24 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
-
Another obstacle is that the group hasn’t secured a stadium site.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Black entrepreneurs continue to face tremendous obstacles securing funding, city contracts and institutional support.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Verb
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New vaccines had been developed to reduce the risk of death from COVID-19, and experts worried that anxiety over needle sticks would hamper uptake.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
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Rescuers at the scene have detailed on social media the challenging mountainous terrain and heavy rain that is hampering the operation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 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
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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
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As the sun began to set and the celebrations abated, Bukayo Saka emerged from the dressing room with the trophy, striding out onto the field for one final photocall — Arsenal’s longest serving player, who has endured the longest wait, took the opportunity to savour the moment.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
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More people are flying this year than last Memorial Day, per AAA, which could mean longer lines and further waits at some airports.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Newport Harbor multi-event standout Natalie McCarty qualified in the 100 and 300 hurdles.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
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Iran is moving its World Cup training base from Tucson to Tijuana, the president of the country’s soccer federation said Saturday, removing one of the final hurdles to its participation in this summer’s tournament.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 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
-
Kyle Schwarber stands as a stunning exception to the San Diego ballpark’s home-run suppressing history.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
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Like seawater, ice exerts pressure on the Earth’s crust, suppressing volcanic activity.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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