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
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Recent Examples of holding back
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams isn’t holding back in his response to Andy Cohen‘s criticism during Wednesday night’s CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live special with Anderson Cooper.
—
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026
And even if the Senate and House fully fund NOAA, Sokich said the administration could continue holding back the funds.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Honest conversations are also unavoidable, especially for those of you who have been holding back your true feelings.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Firms that had stayed disciplined during the post-pandemic liquidity rush — holding back from inflated valuations and cheap leverage — are the ones outperforming, according to Bae.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Butler, who appeared to be holding back tears, listened quietly as officers explained the purpose of their visit.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Clarke, executive director of the security research nonprofit The Soufan Center, says authorities may be holding back details to protect a potential prosecution.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
This chasm exposes the fragmentation that’s holding back European innovation.
—Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
There is zero selfishness to his game, no holding back to prevent injury.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026
And even if the Senate and House fully fund NOAA, Sokich said the administration could continue holding back the funds.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Honest conversations are also unavoidable, especially for those of you who have been holding back your true feelings.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Firms that had stayed disciplined during the post-pandemic liquidity rush — holding back from inflated valuations and cheap leverage — are the ones outperforming, according to Bae.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Butler, who appeared to be holding back tears, listened quietly as officers explained the purpose of their visit.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Clarke, executive director of the security research nonprofit The Soufan Center, says authorities may be holding back details to protect a potential prosecution.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
This chasm exposes the fragmentation that’s holding back European innovation.
—Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
There is zero selfishness to his game, no holding back to prevent injury.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back
Verb
-
DeFoor was set to appear in federal court later Tuesday on federal charges of damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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DeFoor also faces federal charges of damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The immense costs associated with the program have only worsened the economic situation, leading to a more stifling environment.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This left the country without a regular budget for next year and is hampering plans for long-overdue structural reforms and decisions on use of EU support funds.—
Veselin Toshkov,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Decades-old grids in the US are hampering new energy rollouts, and Spain’s huge blackout in April was blamed on an aged system unable to cope with power swings.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Numerous people continued to protest outside the farm’s fences, and CFIA has warned the farm’s supporters from hindering government operations, or flying drones over the site.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Insufficient domestic funding is hindering education progress in Africa as most governments fail to meet global funding benchmarks, wrote Human Rights Watch.—
Obiageli Ezekwesili,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There’s plenty to like about both veteran pitchers and reason to believe that competing in a home run-suppressing environment will allow their attributes to play up.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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Foulk argued Barrett was suppressing evidence by preventing the state from presenting certain tax returns and Illinois Department of Revenue testimony.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Any muscles used for movement — including those involved in speaking, chewing, swallowing, seeing, blinking, breathing and walking — can be affected.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
To save humankind, a geophysicist living with early-onset Alzheimer’s is recruited to investigate the vast void swallowing the oceans.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The report reiterated concerns about seven situations, two of which have been on the list since 2007, including the bureaucracy’s chronic inability to successfully employ information technology — embarrassing for a state that is the global center for digital tools.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
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An ever-growing pile of embarrassing legislative audits consistently reveals the persistent challenge the governor has with recruiting and retaining leaders with executive acumen.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On the first goal in question, Lohrei could have gotten a little more help from Tanner Jeannot in tying up Jonah Gadjovich’s stick, but AJ Greer beat Lohrei to the loose puck and then Jeremy Swayman to the shortside.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
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Djerf admitted to tying up Patricia and Damien Luna, who were the only ones at home.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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