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
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Recent Examples of held back
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
Robles was immediately ejected from the game and was held back from charging the mound.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The big dog tried to turn himself loose, but was later held back by Rollins.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Last season, a lingering hip injury held back the 6-foot-1, 175-pound cornerback, limiting him to just 133 defensive snaps throughout 10 games.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
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
Robles was immediately ejected from the game and was held back from charging the mound.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The big dog tried to turn himself loose, but was later held back by Rollins.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Last season, a lingering hip injury held back the 6-foot-1, 175-pound cornerback, limiting him to just 133 defensive snaps throughout 10 games.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back
Verb
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Talking to Bill Nighy about his star turn as a frail and at times broken novelist in & Sons is rather hampered by the British actor not having seen director Pablo Trapero’s father-and-son drama on a screen of any size ahead of its world premiere on Sunday at the Toronto Film Festival.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
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Currently, only 37% of the more than 5 million tons of trash generated in the county each year is recycled — and even that is hampered by a 40% contamination rate.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Detroit was stifled all night by the new look Packers defense with Micah Parsons in the fold, unable to generate the big plays that were a staple of the Detroit offense in past years when former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was calling the plays.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Watch The Incredibles films on Disney+ Luca Luca (Jacob Tremblay) and Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) are sea monsters who feel stifled in the water.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump criticized Powell for raising rates during his first term, arguing that such actions hindered economic growth.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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In Wind River, the investigation into Natalie's death is hindered by a troubling legal gap.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Defenders shot down or suppressed 112 drones, the air force said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
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Until the 1960s, members of this Indigenous minority were discouraged from reindeer herding, and the church and state suppressed their language and culture.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, debris removal took place, including significant debris that impeded roadways and public spaces, and damage occurred to water control facilities, utilities and parks and recreation facilities.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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The rare move highlighted the administration's combative stance toward jurists who impeded its immigration policies.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In a sight that became more-than-familiar to Boise State fans, Jeanty seemed to be swallowed in the scrum at the line of scrimmage, before bursting out of the side and powering himself into the endzone.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
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Participants in the treatment group swallowed 28 capsules over two days, each containing gut bacteria from four donors.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The bad weather may have been a better option for the Dolphins as they were embarrassed by the Colts, with a final score of 30-8.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
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Getty Images The President fired the nation’s top labor statistician because the jobs numbers embarrassed him.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lottery seats may be partially obstructed.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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Ogles launched a congressional probe into O’Connell, claiming his administration obstructed ICE operations.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Held back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20back. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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