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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of holding back
Grande, a Florida native, quickly took notice, sharing a clip of Lipa’s cover on her Instagram Story and adding a face holding back tears emoji in appreciation.
—
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2025
With emotions expected to run high, the Bethpage crowd won't be holding back when pressure hits.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Encourage open discussion about assumptions that may be holding back projects or growth.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
But the tenacity of Kyiv’s forces in holding back the Russian summer offensive has been a remarkable outlier, and wider Russian progress remains a fierce possibility in the weeks ahead.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
From lighting and paint colors to shutters and roofing, the smallest details might be holding back your home’s potential curb appeal.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
This absolute confidentiality helps give penitents the confidence to approach confession forthrightly, without holding back.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
Her brother Nick, however, did attend, and even seemed to be holding back tears as the WWE paid tribute to Hogan.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Aug. 2025
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2025
With emotions expected to run high, the Bethpage crowd won't be holding back when pressure hits.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Encourage open discussion about assumptions that may be holding back projects or growth.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
But the tenacity of Kyiv’s forces in holding back the Russian summer offensive has been a remarkable outlier, and wider Russian progress remains a fierce possibility in the weeks ahead.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
From lighting and paint colors to shutters and roofing, the smallest details might be holding back your home’s potential curb appeal.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
This absolute confidentiality helps give penitents the confidence to approach confession forthrightly, without holding back.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
Her brother Nick, however, did attend, and even seemed to be holding back tears as the WWE paid tribute to Hogan.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back
Verb
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According to my company's 2025 IT Trends Report, 44% of IT professionals cite a lack of real-time visibility into network connectivity as a primary factor impeding their productivity.—
Douglas Murray,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The criminal complaint says authorities are charging Henson with damaging government property or contracts and assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Justice Department contends a breakup would be the most effective and quickest way to undercut a monopoly that has been stifling competition and innovation for years.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
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In junior tournaments, there can be stifling pressure on kids as young as 8.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some analysts suggested the fee may force companies to move some high-value work overseas, hampering America's position in the high-stakes artificial intelligence race with China.—
Aditya Soni,
Reuters,
20 Sep. 2025
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After much complaining, Bungie reverted some nerfs like hampering the hyper-efficient Solo Ops farm.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Officials from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office also arrested Marlana Strausbaugh and William Strausbaugh, who now both face charges of hindering prosecution or apprehension and complicity in aiding escape.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 Sep. 2025
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Salmo now faces a slate of charges, including second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, riot, and obstructing and hindering a police officer.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Defensively, Matt Roy, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Martin Fehervary all excel at suppressing chances, complementing the team’s two star defenders well.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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China has manipulated the market by suppressing prices to drive Western competition from the market, said Ryan Castilloux, founder of Adamas Intelligence, a critical mineral market research firm.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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No one had fooled Coppola into embarrassing himself publicly — although there’s always a risk, when a powerful figure surrounds himself with yes-people, that no one is left to push back and challenge his choices.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
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This still was a much stronger performance by the Fins than last week’s embarrassing 33-8 defeat in Indianapolis, but that was a low bar to leap.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The little girl also had trouble swallowing for a couple of days afterward, her mother said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
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Rising seas swallowing coastlines.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In two felony counts, Comey indicted for allegedly lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
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Withers was booked into the Pulaski County jail on charges of fleeing and obstructing government operations, both misdemeanors, and was released Saturday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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