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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back
Verb
-
The duo along with Josh Hart stifled the Thunder, holding them to 8-of-21 shooting in the second quarter.—
James L. Edwards III,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025 -
When his scoring is stifled, Edwards will often lose focus in other areas.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Caspar suppressed his urge to respond.—
Brandon Taylor,
The Atlantic,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Ukrainians are uncovering their country’s culinary history – and how its distinctive features were suppressed by the authorities during Soviet rule.—
Howard LaFranchi,
The Christian Science Monitor,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The provision was ratified in the late nineteen-eighties, but conservatives allied with the country’s agricultural lobby have long impeded its enforcement.—
Julian Lucas,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Poor governance and economic stewardship have impeded the region’s development and generated the grievances behind the Arab Spring.—
Marwan Muasher,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
But when they're swallowed, those beads quickly expand to many times their original size, causing bowel blockages.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Tiny batteries used to power items like remote controls or small electronic toys are extremely dangerous if swallowed.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The status of the third remained unknown, but snow obstructed a full view of the nest.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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Yoon apologized for his brief martial law decree, but later doubled down and defended the move, arguing the liberal party obstructed his political agenda.—
Sophia Vento,
The Hill,
8 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Held back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20back. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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