holdback
1 of 2noun
hold·back ˈhōl(d)-ˌbak 
1
: something that retains or restrains
2
a
: the act of holding back
b
: something held back
hold back
2 of 2verb
held back; holding back; holds back
transitive verb
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
intransitive verb
1
: to keep oneself in check
2
: to refrain from revealing or parting with something
Synonyms
Noun
- delay
- detainment
- detention
- holding pattern
- holdup
- wait
Verb
- clog
- cramp
- embarrass
- encumber
- fetter
- hamper
- handcuff
- handicap
- hinder
- hobble
- hog-tie
- hold up
- impede
- inhibit
- interfere (with)
- manacle
- obstruct
- shackle
- short-circuit
- stymie
- tie up
- trammel
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Rebecca Griesbach | Rgriesbach@al.com, al, 14 Apr. 2022 But for now, teachers should continue moving forward with everything required under the law as if the holdback provision will be in place at the end of next school year. Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 8 June 2021 Now, third graders in the 2021-22 school year will remain subject to a holdback provision. Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 27 May 2021 In Mississippi, whose third-grade reading law Alabama’s was modeled after, the state board of education suspended the holdback provision for the current school year only according to a department of education spokesperson. Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 20 May 2021 In the case of escrow, a holdback is created at closing, which means the seller does not receive all the funds. Robin Gagnon, Forbes, 11 May 2021 Typical issues are: The amount and length of the escrow holdback for indemnification claims. Gary Miller, The Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2019 The Connecticut Department of Education sent Canterbury town officials a letter saying that the additional holdback of $250,000 would incur a $500,000 Education Cost Sharing penalty. Denise Coffey, Courant Community, 3 Apr. 2018 Legislation is being discussed to do away with the penalty associated with cuts made after holdbacks were announced. Denise Coffey, Courant Community, 3 Apr. 2018 Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her young daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Danica Kirka, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her young daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Danica Kirka, Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her young daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Danica Kirka, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her young daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Danica Kurka, Jill Lawless And Sylvia Hui, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2022 Menninger did not hold back, aggressively questioning one witness, identified in court only as Jane, and seeking to portray her as unreliable and opportunistic. Colin Moynihan, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2022 But when asked about senior outside linebacker David Ambagtsheer, the Toreros’ leading returning tackler, Lindsey doesn’t hold back the praise. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
The holdback requirement makes up a small but controversial portion of the Alabama Literacy Act. Rebecca Griesbach | Rgriesbach@al.com, al, 14 Apr. 2022 But for now, teachers should continue moving forward with everything required under the law as if the holdback provision will be in place at the end of next school year. Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 8 June 2021 Now, third graders in the 2021-22 school year will remain subject to a holdback provision. Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 27 May 2021 In Mississippi, whose third-grade reading law Alabama’s was modeled after, the state board of education suspended the holdback provision for the current school year only according to a department of education spokesperson. Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 20 May 2021 In the case of escrow, a holdback is created at closing, which means the seller does not receive all the funds. Robin Gagnon, Forbes, 11 May 2021 Typical issues are: The amount and length of the escrow holdback for indemnification claims. Gary Miller, The Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2019 The Connecticut Department of Education sent Canterbury town officials a letter saying that the additional holdback of $250,000 would incur a $500,000 Education Cost Sharing penalty. Denise Coffey, Courant Community, 3 Apr. 2018 Legislation is being discussed to do away with the penalty associated with cuts made after holdbacks were announced. Denise Coffey, Courant Community, 3 Apr. 2018 Verb
During the trophy ceremony afterward, Jabeur struggled to hold back her tears. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her young daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Danica Kirka, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her young daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Danica Kirka, Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her young daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Danica Kirka, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, mourner April Hamilton stood with her young daughter, struggling to hold back tears. Danica Kurka, Jill Lawless And Sylvia Hui, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2022 Menninger did not hold back, aggressively questioning one witness, identified in court only as Jane, and seeking to portray her as unreliable and opportunistic. Colin Moynihan, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2022 But when asked about senior outside linebacker David Ambagtsheer, the Toreros’ leading returning tackler, Lindsey doesn’t hold back the praise. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
holdback 1 of 2
noun
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
- delay
- wait
- holdup
- deferral
- deferment
- postponement
- lag
- holding pattern
- respite
- hesitation
- detention
- detainment
- setback
- slowdown
- foot-dragging
- pause
- reprieve
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rush
- haste
- dispatch
- promptness
- promptitude
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
- obstacle
- hurdle
- barrier
- obstruction
- embarrassment
- encumbrance
- inhibition
- deterrent
- impediment
- interference
- constraint
- chain
- burden
- hitch
- shackles
- handicap
- let
- block
- load
- hindrance
- stop
- stumbling block
- brake
- balk
- crimp
- delay
- restraint
- trammel
- fetter
- bar
- cramp
- clog
- drag
- curb
- blockade
- snag
- rub
- embargo
- blockage
- holdup
- stone wall
- catch
- manacle
- disadvantage
- rein
- stoppage
- stall
- brick wall
- danger
- arrest
- difficulty
- drawback
- bit
- hardship
- hazard
- reef
- check
- peril
- adversity
- hobble
- cumber
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- incentive
- stimulus
- advantage
- catalyst
- impetus
- edge
- spur
- benefit
- assistance
- break
- stimulant
- aid
- goad
- help
- boost
- handmaiden
- handmaid
hold back
2 of 2verb
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
- hamper
- hinder
- impede
- embarrass
- obstruct
- tie up
- handicap
- delay
- block
- hold up
- cramp one's style
- cramp
- interfere (with)
- inhibit
- stymie
- clog
- shackle
- give a hard time
- disrupt
- restrain
- fetter
- encumber
- handcuff
- hobble
- trammel
- thwart
- constrain
- tie
- short-circuit
- curb
- check
- brake
- hog-tie
- rein
- manacle
- bind
- frustrate
- chain
- balk
- tether
- retard
- leash
- retain
- stifle
- arrest
- halter
- bog (down)
- barricade
- roadblock
- foil
- blockade
- sabotage
- choke
- stump
- baffle
- mire
- muzzle
- derail
- confine
- strangle
- hedge (in)
- smother
- hem (in)
- suffocate
- repress
- suppress
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- help
- assist
- facilitate
- aid
- make way
- open
- release
- clear
- free
- liberate
- unplug
- promote
- loosen
- encourage
- unclog
- smooth
- further
- unstop
- untie
2
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering held back her tears until she was alone Synonyms & Similar Words
- stifle
- suppress
- swallow
- choke (back)
- pocket
- control
- repress
- contain
- smother
- submerge
- manage
- bottle up
- strangle
- sink
- check
- curb
- govern
- quell
- quash
- bridle
- squelch
- muffle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- take out
- express
- release
- loose
- vent
- unleash