There are a variety of synonyms for the phrase "holdback pay" which refer to the act of withholding a portion of an employee's wages either temporarily or permanently. These synonyms include "deductions," "withholdings," "retentions," "payback," "reductions," and "clawbacks." Each of these phrases has its own slightly nuanced meaning, but in general, they refer to the idea of temporary or permanent reductions in pay that an employee may experience. Depending on the context, these phrases may be used differently, but all of them are related to the idea of withholding or reducing an employee's wages for some reason.