Goad and Holdback

Goad

Goad noun - Something that arouses action or activity.

Holdback is an antonym for goad.

Nearby Words: goaded, goading

Holdback

Holdback noun - Something that makes movement or progress difficult.
Usage example: the only holdback to starting the new job is my contractual commitment to my current position

Goad is an antonym for holdback.

Nearby Words: hold, holding
Cite this Source
Holdback and Goad. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/goad/holdback
Goad & Holdback. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/goad/holdback>.
Holdback or Goad. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/goad/holdback.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "goad" and "holdback" have occurred on timeline