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
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
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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
Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 14 Apr. 2025
An oft-expressionless player could not hold back a celebration.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 12 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
Definitely don’t hold back […] Give them everything.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 14 Apr. 2025
An oft-expressionless player could not hold back a celebration.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
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Under cost-cutting orders from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, purchasing cards had been frozen, requiring approvals for all but emergency expenses, which sometimes meant lengthy delays.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Books Orwell’s 5 greatest essays: No. 1, ‘Politics and the English Language’ Nov. 8, 2013 Some Wodehouse lines are like time bombs, detonating with a momentary delay.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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Significant obstacles remain: insufficient private investment, market fragmentation across 27 member states, and regulatory complexity could undermine Europe's ambitions.—
Federico Guerrini,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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 daytime setting undermined their gimmicks, and Wyatt's early ankle injury hampered his performance, leading to a slow, unengaging match that failed to live up to the intriguing potential of the pairing.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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What is the Google hearing about? U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled in August that Google has illegally exploited its dominance to squash competition and stifle innovation.—
Patrick Maguire,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2025
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In 2020, the Justice Department, joined by a group of states, accused Google of illegally stifling competition by paying the makers of web browsers and phones to set Google as their default search engine.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
20 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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These financial hurdles can lead to the perception that technology adoption simply isn’t worth it.—
James Lindsey,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Despite these hurdles, experts agree that digital twins represent the future of sports.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
17 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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The players argue the defendants have suppressed players’ earnings and other professional opportunities.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Incretin drugs mimic certain gut hormones to suppress a person’s appetite and regulate blood sugar.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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