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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stifled

to refrain from openly showing or uttering held back her tears until she was alone

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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 Toure was knocked down briefly after his play and had to be held back by team personnel from joining in on the celebration after Fitzgerald’s interception. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026 Skeptics have argued that generous welfare benefits and the resulting high taxes have held back the Nordic economies. — Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 The funds will be held back from schools until early next year, when California’s new governor can reassess the financial landscape with a clearer picture of revenues. — Charlie Borla, Oc Register, 9 July 2026 Note that the latest indication is that the first foldable iPhone will be announced at the same keynote as the Pro and Pro Max, but may be held back for a later release. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 But Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Stjepan Radelijic held back Sergiño Dest just outside the box, forcing the referee to pull out a yellow card and give the USMNT a grade-A opportunity to pull away a bit in the 80th minute. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 During the press tour, Zendaya and Holland haven't held back with their red carpet style, especially the Euphoria star, who has taken the superhero theme to new heights. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 July 2026 Sequential integration for CFETs One of the biggest barriers that’s held back sequential processes is the scorching temperatures needed to make high-quality transistors. — IEEE Spectrum, 25 June 2026 This never held back the Kennedys before. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back

Verb

And that his injury severely hampered their chances in the second half of the campaign.

— Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 14 July 2026
The response has been hampered by a funding gap, attacks on health centers, and an ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, as well as mistrust among local communities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026

Definition of hampered

Verb

Defense prevailed in the final FIFA World Cup match in Dallas-Fort Worth, as Spain stifled rival France 2-0 in the semifinals Tuesday at AT&T Stadium.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Bobby Child is stifled by having to work in his family’s banking business.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026

Definition of stifled

Verb

More broadly, spiraling mortgage and rent costs have hindered Gen Zers and younger millennials from forming independent households, researchers say.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 11 July 2026
This offseason, Cullen revealed that Karlaftis broke his hand, which required surgery during the Week 10 bye and hindered him for the rest of the season.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Definition of hindered

Verb

Why use glyphosate For well over a century, the state and federal government aggressively suppressed all fire in California forests — many of which were adapted to low-severity flames that rolled through the understory every five to 20 years.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 123 drones into the country in its latest wave, of which 108 drones were shot down or suppressed.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of suppressed

Verb

Supporters had campaigned for Merlin to be allowed into the Azteca to witness Mexico’s final group game — but the dabbler found his free passage impeded on Wednesday evening by FIFA regulations.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 June 2026
The Sugar Act directly impeded colonial drinking, as molasses is a key ingredient in rum.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 June 2026

Definition of impeded

Verb

Arrax was the first of these creatures to die when he and his rider, Rhaenyra's son Prince Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), were swallowed up by Aemond's Vhagar in the season 1 finale.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026
Each player swallowed a biometric tablet, about the size of a large vitamin, so that scientists could see how well his body cooled itself.

— Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of swallowed

Verb

Parenting advice has changed so much in even the last two decades that folks from older generations who raised seemingly healthy kids might feel left behind, embarrassed by their outdated opinions, or defensive of their own parenting choices.

— Parents, Parents, 16 July 2026
Austin Theory, Maxxine Dupri, Bron Breakker and Logan Paul walked to the back glowing as the group embarrassed Otis and Akira Tozawa in the ring a few moments before.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of embarrassed

Verb

Thai officials said investigators would examine the ceiling materials and whether any emergency exits were obstructed, potentially hindering evacuation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Manager Craig Counsell wasn’t happy second-base umpire Ramon De Jesus did not rule the Orioles’ Henderson obstructed second base with his foot on Hoerner’s steal attempt.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026