1
as in hampered
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stifled
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
held back her tears until she was alone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of held back
Some states slashed existing spending on their universities while others held back new investments.
—
Jeffrey Selingo, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
But in terms of censorship, we’ve not been held back.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
In another video of the incident, posted on Facebook, Bryan is captured trying to hop over the fence in an attempt to get to Adcock, before he is held back by security.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Espinoza said media companies have largely held back from boxing because of its discord.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Inmates who can be identified for RRC should not be held back because of capacity issues to meet their needs for a return to society.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Zohny said the medical team held back all medications that caused his sedation.
—Cara Anthony, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Hair shaggy, uniform untucked, his face like an arrow pulled taut, Danny held back the whole class with his antics.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Historical disruptions to scarcity Advertisement Industrial revolutions throughout history expanded abundance, but in every wave, scarcity held back progress.
—Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
Jeffrey Selingo, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
But in terms of censorship, we’ve not been held back.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
In another video of the incident, posted on Facebook, Bryan is captured trying to hop over the fence in an attempt to get to Adcock, before he is held back by security.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Espinoza said media companies have largely held back from boxing because of its discord.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Inmates who can be identified for RRC should not be held back because of capacity issues to meet their needs for a return to society.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Zohny said the medical team held back all medications that caused his sedation.
—Cara Anthony, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Hair shaggy, uniform untucked, his face like an arrow pulled taut, Danny held back the whole class with his antics.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Historical disruptions to scarcity Advertisement Industrial revolutions throughout history expanded abundance, but in every wave, scarcity held back progress.
—Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back
Verb
-
International responses have been further hampered by an uptick in global crises, which ISIS has used to further drive division and recruit among disaffected populations in nearly every corner of the globe.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
However, the two-time WNBA MVP looked hampered by the injury, scoring just six points in 20 minutes on the court.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Her coming-of-age drama, which world premieres at the San Sebastian Film Festival’s New Directors sidebar, follows 13-year-old Laura who feels stifled in her new family.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Attempts to ban the tourist attraction by mayors have been stifled for years, in part from opposition by a labor union representing carriage drivers and owners who deny allegations of animal mistreatment.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Another key distinction was that the Cowboys' defense didn't sack Williams, something that hindered him in the Bears' first two losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
However, the ephemeral nature of trends has hindered people from finding ways to heal their skin and hair in the most natural ways possible.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 141 drones into the country, of which 132 were downed or suppressed.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The upconversion process also suppressed noise, which made the setup effective even under very dim light.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Another lottery pick, Leo Carlsson, twice impeded Utah’s progress up the ice.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The implementation of the SCORE Act could be impeded by other types of legal challenges.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But Kelvin Wheelies closed in 1983 and has been slowly getting swallowed by trees and shrubs ever since.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Here, slowly being swallowed by vegetation and worn down by time, are gigantic mausoleums, vast underground cisterns, temples, imposing city walls and a breathtaking theater perched, like Machu Picchu, on a hilltop that offers views stretching for miles all around.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The team that embarrassed the Rams at SoFi Stadium in November.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The Jets were embarrassed by the Bills, but there is still plenty of season left for the team to get back on track.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Prosecutors say Comey lied about authorizing an FBI source to speak to the media about the investigation and obstructed Congress by making false statements intended to impede lawmakers’ probe into the FBI’s actions, according to a copy of the indictment obtained by The Washington Post.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
In a July 29 post to the social media platform, Minniear included snaps of himself and some picturesque locations, as well as a shot of Goulding laying nude in bed with her arm, side and thigh visible but face mostly obstructed.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Held back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20back. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share