How to Use holdback in a Sentence

holdback

1 of 2 noun
  • If the house is not sold after 180 days, the company retains what remains of the 30% holdback.
    — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Lawmakers are expected to vote Friday on whether to approve and extend the holdbacks that led to the 4% rate cuts.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Add curtain holdbacks with playful animal details, or top your door hinges with decorative hinge caps for a knowing wink of whimsy.
    — Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
  • If the property is not sold within 180 days, then Cash to Win keeps the remaining 30% holdback.
    — Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
  • When Cash to Win sells the departing residence, the remaining 30% holdback goes to the principal.
    — Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The law will require a 1% additional cut at most state agencies beyond the 3% holdbacks Little ordered last summer to account for revenue shortfalls.
    — Idaho Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
  • He would then be allowed to use the materials after a holdback period—either 12 months following the release of the documentary or two years from the agreement’s signing, whichever comes first.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Universities will continue to deal with the 3% holdbacks — plus another 2% drop — for next fiscal year, according to the statement of purpose for the appropriations bill that senators passed Thursday.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • That’s 3% from holdbacks Little ordered in August amid a revenue shortfall, plus a 1% cut that the Legislature’s powerful budget committee voted to include.
    — Idaho Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
  • And maybe this is an opportunity to voice something, and that is that independent films from the United States are more and more often being subjected to strategies which used to be dedicated to bigger, more commercial films, in terms of holdbacks.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 June 2026

hold back

2 of 2 verb
  • Reeve did not hold back postgame.
    — Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Kim had even held back in her first run.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
  • So yes, please post about books and don’t hold back.
    — Maris Kreizman september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Once again, Green replied and didn't hold back.
    — Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
  • The book of memoirs did not hold back.
    — Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Sophie holds back and cries in her room.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
  • There was no point holding back.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • But good for him for not holding back.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 17 June 2026
  • None of this is holding back the wider push.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • Don’t hold back or ration your gifts.
    — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
  • This is the kind of movie that gives and gives but holds back, too.
    — Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024
  • An anchor who holds back may have a tougher time.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
  • Trump didn’t hold back his response.
    — Nicole Russell, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
  • That said, there's no need to hold back today.
    — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Breya doesn't hold back either.
    — Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Part of what has held back electric cars has been the cost.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Edith Brown couldn't hold back any longer and let out a cheer.
    — Jeannie Roberts, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2021
  • But they were all swept up in the moment, and didn’t hold back.
    — Steve Lopez Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2021
  • Don’t hold back — this is your moment to put your ideas out there.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • Of course, fans and critics didn't hold back in the tweet's replies.
    — Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 5 Apr. 2021
  • Her blond hair was glossy and straight, her bangs held back with a barrette.
    — Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023
  • This take is so dumb that it was held back in the second grade three times.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Just over two minutes were left and France didn't hold back.
    — ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The union did not hold back in its criticism.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Reed was then shown on camera holding back tears.
    — Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Luque agrees that the entryway isn’t the time to hold back.
    — Amanda Sims, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In those cases, there’s no reason to hold back.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • But in terms of censorship, we’ve not been held back.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Her parents are trying to hold back.
    — Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
  • The time is not now to hold back, sit on your hands and say, 'Hmm, okay.
    — Mo Rocca, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holdback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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