hold·back
ˈhōl(d)-ˌbak 
1
: something that retains or restrains
2
a
: the act of holding back
b
: something held back
held back; holding back; holds back
1
a
: to hinder the progress or achievement of : restrain
b
: to keep from advancing to the next stage, grade, or level
2
: to refrain from revealing or parting with
held back important information
1
: to keep oneself in check
2
: to refrain from revealing or parting with something
Examples of holdback in a Sentence
Noun
there'll be a holdback on production until the new machinery is fully installed
the only holdback to starting the new job is my contractual commitment to my current position
Verb
the only thing holding them back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation
held back her tears until she was alone
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Gary Marcus, professor emeritus of psychology and neural science at New York University, has directly critiqued the claims of tech CEOs like Altman, pointing out the numerous technical issues holding back the development of true AGI.
—Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
No European military, not even the EU collectively, possesses the deterrent force necessary to hold back Moscow, which is now backed by a broader axis of evil.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Gary Marcus, professor emeritus of psychology and neural science at New York University, has directly critiqued the claims of tech CEOs like Altman, pointing out the numerous technical issues holding back the development of true AGI.
—Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holdback
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holdback. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share