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
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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
Nick Miller, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
For those who missed it, District Attorney John Lewin didn’t hold back his thoughts on the courtroom cameo.
—Maggie Ekberg, SPIN, 26 Feb. 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
He has been held back by injuries, scandal and bad decisions.
—Nick Miller, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
For those who missed it, District Attorney John Lewin didn’t hold back his thoughts on the courtroom cameo.
—Maggie Ekberg, SPIN, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
-
Although drivers are fully routed around the K Street blocks of the market, drivers are still allowed to proceed east through the intersection of J and 20th streets, where the volume of pedestrians using the crosswalks on J leads to delays for those in cars.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
2 Mar. 2025
-
During red-eye flights, four-hour delays, freezing plane cabins, or those moments when the plane gets stuffy, these pants have never let me down in any temperature or circumstance.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In Court Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Thursday, March 6th ‘Hamilton’ Cancels Kennedy Center Show Run In Protest Of Trump’s ‘Purge’ Despite these obstacles, female founders demonstrate remarkable resilience and innovation.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Trump, much like Putin, sees Ukraine as an inconvenience, an obstacle, something that should be grateful to even have a seat at the table.—
Illia Ponomarenko,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This complexity hampers everything from vulnerability triage to compliance audits, ironically undermining the very protections these tools promise.—
Aviv Mussinger,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
-
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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Employees are empowered to be agile and engaged, which fosters the kind of unique contributions that might be stifled in traditional hierarchies.—
Patrick Donegan,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Greatly reducing the overhead funding universities need to produce these discoveries will stifle the innovation America relies on to remain competitive and to ensure progress.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Medical wait times were not factored into my limited window.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The new approval process is creating lengthy wait times for agencies to onboard new hires, causing fears that those employees will go unpaid, their work will go undone, and that their personal information might be compromised.—
Quil Lawrence,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Today, these hurdles are now compounded by the circumstances of a mediatized, globalized present in which artworks are readily circulated and recontextualized online—made hyper-visible through social media and simultaneously flattened by the internet’s immediacy.—
Fabiola Iza,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
However, any individual who impedes law enforcement operations, potentially threatening the safety of law enforcement agents and subjects of their investigations, is subject to investigation and potential prosecution by the Department of Justice.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Without such reform, unmanageable debt will continue to impede these countries from investing in domestic green industrial strategies or in other measures to prevent and respond to climate, health, and other emergencies.—
Mariana Mazzucato,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The answer is clear: Our city council clings to an outdated system that suppresses voter engagement.—
DP Opinion,
The Denver Post,
4 Mar. 2025
-
From algorithmic bias that suppresses Black creators to the unchecked harassment that drives them offline, the need for digital hubs designed with Black users in mind has never been more urgent.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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