bottle (up)

verb

Definition of bottle (up)next
as in to hold back

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottle (up)
  1. hold back
  2. measure
  3. curb
Verb
  • Early results from some Central Arkansas school districts suggest that most third graders who didn't pass the ATLAS received an exemption and were promoted anyway, though districts still may be holding back more students than in previous years.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The new on-pitch laws… There was confusion at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium in the first round of the Carabao Cup, when substitute Fin Cartwright was held back from entering the pitch straight away.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of hold back
Verb
  • Phil Buckingham Ipswich Town A more balanced and measured transfer approach has been undertaken by Ipswich this summer compared to their last campaign in the Premier League two years ago.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Opportunity costs can be measured in dollars, but don’t have to be.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of measure
Verb
  • Dozens of new laws take effect in Colorado on Wednesday as part of state lawmakers’ efforts to increase safety of ride-hailing apps, improve affordable housing development and curb Coloradans from leaving out trash that could lure bears.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Existing laws already shield utilities from billions in wildfire damages, including Altadena’s deadly Eaton fire, as new proposals could further curb victim payouts and shift costs to homeowners’ insurance.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of curb
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Bottle (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottle%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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