1
as in impeding
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 stifling
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 holding back
Smith, the playwright, isn’t holding back her enthusiasm for the source material.
—
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Pistons veteran Tobias Harris was holding back Diabate, when the latter threw a punch at Duren, escalating the whole situation.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Two temporary rulings had been issued in January, when the states sued, that blocked the federal governmentfrom holding back the funding, with the latest set to expire on Friday.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Two temporary rulings had been issued in January that blocked the federal government from holding back the funding, with the latest set to expire on Friday.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
In addition, last year's government shutdown is showing no signs of holding back the company, Bank of America added, as CACI also raised its full year outlook.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026
But Maviglio, the Democratic strategist, cautioned that donors and labor unions are holding back because of the crowded field, and labor groups in particular have multiple allies in the ring.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
The Epstein files may have brought a challenge closer, but key rivals are holding back, for now.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Blanche declined to comment on whether there was still an ongoing investigation related to Epstein's associates, and pushed back on allegations that the Department is selectively holding back files that might be damaging to the President, who has a long history with Epstein going back decades.
—Philip Wang, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Pistons veteran Tobias Harris was holding back Diabate, when the latter threw a punch at Duren, escalating the whole situation.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Two temporary rulings had been issued in January, when the states sued, that blocked the federal governmentfrom holding back the funding, with the latest set to expire on Friday.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Two temporary rulings had been issued in January that blocked the federal government from holding back the funding, with the latest set to expire on Friday.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
In addition, last year's government shutdown is showing no signs of holding back the company, Bank of America added, as CACI also raised its full year outlook.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026
But Maviglio, the Democratic strategist, cautioned that donors and labor unions are holding back because of the crowded field, and labor groups in particular have multiple allies in the ring.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
The Epstein files may have brought a challenge closer, but key rivals are holding back, for now.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Blanche declined to comment on whether there was still an ongoing investigation related to Epstein's associates, and pushed back on allegations that the Department is selectively holding back files that might be damaging to the President, who has a long history with Epstein going back decades.
—Philip Wang, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back
Verb
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Dozens of felony cases against protesters accused of assaulting or impeding federal officers have also crumbled.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Dozens of felony cases against protesters accused of assaulting or impeding federal officers have also crumbled.—
Jack Brook,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The soul singer left the stifling Mississippi heat for cool Minneapolis in 1955.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
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Expanding your team, shouldering more projects, and growing your office space may seem like natural progressions for a successful studio—but AD100 designer Miles Redd believes that accruing too much overhead can actually be stifling.—
AD PRO,
Architectural Digest,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Despite a season-ending ACL tear sustained by Jimmy Butler and nagging knee soreness hampering Steph Curry, Golden State still has playoff hopes.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
9 Feb. 2026
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The move comes as the container shipping industry at large is reeling from declines in freight rates over the past year, hampering the bottom lines of many carriers.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The law classifies these crimes as heinous, prohibiting bail, amnesty or pardon, and hindering the progression of sentences for members of criminal factions.—
Evandro Cruz Silva,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Exilus and Walker, meanwhile face an additional charge of third-degree hindering the apprehension of another, Santiago said.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But Vance’s false accusations at last year’s conference – that Europe is suppressing freedom of speech and democracy, and facing civilizational decline – are now enshrined in US national security strategy.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Reinterpreting the history of slavery has given way to suppressing its memorialization entirely.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare brain disease that affects body movements, walking and balance, eye movements and swallowing, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Progressive supranuclear palsy, also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, is a rare neurological disorder that impacts walking, balance, eye movement and swallowing, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fairchild played the free-wheeling bon vivant Nora Tyler Bing on five episodes of the sitcom classic, unwittingly embarrassing Perry's Chandler Bing to the delight of his pals.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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One day, Will goes viral after embarrassing ROAR league MVP, Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre), during a streetball challenge, prompting his favorite team, the Vineland Thorns, to sign him to a season-ending contract in a desperate attempt to juice ticket sales.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead of tying up resources on certain things, perhaps a drone and then the AI assistant, for a phone call, can handle that situation.—
Ryan Oehrli
Updated February 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
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At its height, the deployment represented 20% of the Navy’s surface fleet, tying up critical assets even as crises were flaring elsewhere in the world.—
Jamie Tarabay,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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