HELD (BACK) Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

held back

verb

past tense of hold back

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

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 But Ohtani held back his hands long enough to extend them to the pitch and shoot it through the right side of the infield. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 Even from her wrought-iron balcony, analysts say, Fernández has held back potential successors to pursue her own comeback. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 The designers and brands succeeding right now appear to be those who understand how to honor history and invigorate the brand, without being held back or weighed down by legacy. — Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026 If a third of that pool has smoothed over an age, downplayed a caregiving responsibility or held back an honest opinion online, that manager is working from an edited pool without knowing it. — Houman Akhavan, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026 Paramount voluntarily agreed not to close the deal until after a trial is held back in July. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Sep. 2026 Yet among those students, 51% had still held back at least once. — Liam Julian, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2026 Wong, meanwhile, born in Los Angeles’ Chinatown to Taishanese parents from China, had been steadily acting for years, but was held back from Dietrich’s level of success largely because of her race. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2026 Kering and Zegna held back on expansion, with each representing under 5 percent of openings as market headwinds prompted a more cautious real estate approach. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back

Verb

Four in 10 American kids will become adults hampered by obesity, chronic illness, anxiety, depression, or other conditions that can limit their opportunities and shorten their lives.

— Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
Aliyah Boston finished with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Fever, despite being hampered by a lower leg injury.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of hampered

Verb

The Falcons dominated the second half with their offense, and the defense stifled the Packers and quarterback Jordan Love.

— Rod Beard, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
But the cumbersome requirements for taking the drugs, as well as a series of safety concerns, stifled their use.

— Allison DeAngelis, STAT, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of stifled

Verb

Last season as a rookie, Ferguson was hindered early in the schedule because of a hamstring injury suffered during training camp.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Arrivals at the show were hindered by a combination of fans waiting to catch a glimpse of front-row guests like Monica Bellucci and Italian singer Jovanotti, and an anti-fur protest.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of hindered

Verb

Making the material thicker suppressed the effect, limiting both the physical design of the memory and potentially its ability to retain information.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
When the skin’s community of protective bacteria was suppressed with antibiotics, the frogs became more likely to develop signs of disease.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of suppressed

Verb

The ongoing conflict that has driven people from their homes in Iran as well as an internet shutdown and a lack of full cooperation from the two governments partially impeded the team's efforts to get information.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
The ongoing conflict that has driven people from their homes in Iran as well as an internet shutdown and a lack of full cooperation from the two governments partially impeded the team’s efforts to get information.

— Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of impeded

Verb

Between a courier caught in the middle of a zombie virus outbreak and a scuba diver swallowed whole by a sperm whale, both films put Abrams’ respective lead characters, Bryan and Jay, through uniquely harrowing one-man crucibles.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
The 30-piece toy sets include 2-inch figures that contain magnets in the hands and feet, which can be detached and swallowed.

— Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of swallowed

Verb

All must be corrected or the Dolphins could be embarrassed by the Chiefs.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Yeah, the Cardinals — led by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ former offensive coordinator — embarrassed the Bolts at home.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of embarrassed

Verb

And there are a handful of seats at the top of the upper deck adjacent to the scoreboards that have obstructed views of one corner of the field, so few dozen fans will find a less than premium experience.

— Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Reigns was obstructed from doing his usual moves without feeling any pain.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026