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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
This is the kind of movie that gives and gives but holds back, too.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 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
Our thinking was that if the Council’s commission presented the voters something reasonable and worthwhile, the mayor’s commission could hold back and let the Council’s commission put their ideas on the ballot for voter approval.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
This is the kind of movie that gives and gives but holds back, too.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for holdback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holdback
Noun
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Supply Chain Woes The top trend remains supply chain woes, with delays at Airbus, Boeing, engine makers and other suppliers.Ted Reed, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
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Hamlet, famously, vows revenge on his uncle, Claudius, for the murder of his father—but then he dithers, delays, and generally goes crazy, only killing Claudius at the very end of Shakespeare’s longest play.Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Here are steps that can help ensure a smooth integration process, addressing potential obstacles and strategies to overcome them: 1.Brian Moroney, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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Another political obstacle: The fossil-fuel industry has turned natural gas into a culture-war issue by bombarding Americans with the message that woke liberals are coming to take away their gas stoves and gas drilling jobs.Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For years, Kazakhstan has worked with Jewish groups to repeal Cold War-era legislation hampering trade with the United States.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
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The Seahawks’ comeback efforts were hampered late by the loss of starting quarterback Geno Smith.Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This shame promotes a culture where the potential for innovation is stifled, and opportunities for meaningful collaboration are missed.Jessica A. Stansbury, Baltimore Sun, 29 Dec. 2024
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This creates a lack of physical and emotional space in the relationship that can be stifling for their partner.Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The initial location will be equipped with drive-thru lanes, kiosks and back-of-house tech that will employ real-world data to reduce wait times and keep food stocked and fresh.Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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Some longtime residents grew irritated by the strain on city services, such as wait times for public health services, a housing shortage and rising rents.Maria Ramirez Uribe and Amy Sherman, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The only remaining hurdle is a revision to Canada Soccer’s deal with CSB.Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
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The biggest hurdle was how to best communicate such a complicated subject to my special needs child.Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Kim Kardashian Videos In India Go Viral Before Anant Ambani Wedding By Alex Gonzalez Contributing Entertainment Writer 1 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Kim Kardashian is everywhere this holiday season, and nothing can impede her socialite status.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
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Under a contingency plan the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs put out in January, veterans' access to healthcare, other benefits and even memorial services won't be impeded.Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Officials say Chinese authorities can compel ByteDance to hand over information on TikTok's U.S. patrons or use the platform to spread or suppress information.HALELUYA HADERO AND MICHELLE L. PRICE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Dec. 2024
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But that arsenal simply does not include suppressing the speech of Americans because other Americans may be persuaded.Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near holdback
Cite this Entry
“Holdback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holdback. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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