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
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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
Brown got into the face of an official and had to be held back by assistant coach Rick Brunson.
—
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
While the skirmish was going on, Tre White had to be held back by KU assistant Tony Bland, and White did not seem pleased as the two exchanged some words.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Instead, Hera held back Herakles’s birth so his cousin, now born first, would inherit the crown instead.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
China has held back from providing enough military support to guarantee Russia’s victory.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Students with a disability, English learners and those who have been held back twice already would be exempt from third-grade retention.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 20 Feb. 2026
Duaa was also held back for questioning.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Trump, projecting his image as a deal-maker during the inaugural meeting, issued a veiled threat to countries that have held back from joining.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 19 Feb. 2026
Kim had even held back in her first run.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
While the skirmish was going on, Tre White had to be held back by KU assistant Tony Bland, and White did not seem pleased as the two exchanged some words.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
Instead, Hera held back Herakles’s birth so his cousin, now born first, would inherit the crown instead.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
China has held back from providing enough military support to guarantee Russia’s victory.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Students with a disability, English learners and those who have been held back twice already would be exempt from third-grade retention.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 20 Feb. 2026
Duaa was also held back for questioning.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Trump, projecting his image as a deal-maker during the inaugural meeting, issued a veiled threat to countries that have held back from joining.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 19 Feb. 2026
Kim had even held back in her first run.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back
Verb
-
The journey is hampered by lack of money and other misfortunes, and it’s eventually interrupted by a gunshot, announcing the cantankerous presence of Tiga.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
-
It has also been hampered by its own investors failing to back it, Semafor’s technology editor reported.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Texans were stifled all night, turning the ball over 26 times.—
American-Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
But the surging inflation, lack of a large base of consumers with high disposable incomes, and low broadband access that have challenged other African streaming services have stifled Showmax’s ambitions.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gulf states’ strategy on Iran — focused on de-escalation and containing tensions — has hindered their ability to influence Tehran and shape the new security environment, Bader Al-Saif, assistant professor of history at Kuwait University, and Chatham House’s Sanam Vakil write for War on the Rocks.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Richard also recalled how Amber’s COVID-19 diagnosis before she was scheduled to perform at the US Nationals in 2019 hindered her Olympics debut.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Across the country, crackdowns suppressed immigrants' health care visits.—
Kate Wells,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
-
When other forms of truth are suppressed, the joke must serve instead.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That, De Bremaeker said, impeded efforts to submit emergency court filings to prevent their removal from the country without due process.—
Anissa Rivera,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
But the totality of the circumstances greatly impeded my ability to write Ballot.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And, we may have been raised to care for and even be responsible for a sibling but be unable to prevent them from being swallowed up by their addictive or violent behavior.—
Geoffrey Greif,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Feb. 2026
-
There have been at least 38 reports of and reviews mentioning the bristle detaching from the brushes, Weber said, and four reports of people who swallowed the metal bristles and sough medical treatment to remove them from their throat or digestive tract.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Would the girl with the bright smile have been embarrassed by her love Stitch as a teen?—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
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The team embarrassed Canada, 5-0, in the preliminary round, and swept the North American neighbor in four straight Olympic tune-ups.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The owner, listed on the claim as Genesis GSA Strategic One LLC, county officials interfered with and obstructed the federal government's authority to enforce immigration law and open detention sites.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
After an investigation that lasted months, fuelled by eight whistle-blowers on his own staff, the legislators concluded that Paxton had taken bribes from a real-estate developer, improperly fired aides who reported his conduct, and obstructed justice.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20back. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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