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
The Queen of Wands shows up to encourage you to embody your charisma, creativity, and leadership without holding back.
—
Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back
Verb
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Turmail pointed to the Brent Spence Bridge’s paralyzed development as a prime example of regulations, including permitting requirements, impeding progress.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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In the absence of a clear chain of command and accountability, industry regulators are more likely to impose broad, restrictive, stifling innovation and creating significant compliance burdens.—
Nelson Lim,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
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Constructed of a cozy blend of acrylic, polyester, cotton, viscose, and spandex, the top is warm but not stifling.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rainfall was hampering efforts to reach the villages and many roads were swept away or blocked by the landslides.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The appointment ends a three-month mayoral vacancy that has been hampering efforts to repair the city's aging, leak-prone water system.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, eco-design requirements will improve material recyclability and stimulate demand for recycled content; the lack of such is hindering the sector’s development, the organization said.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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She has been arrested on a felony charge of hindering the apprehension of a criminal, the Reynolds Police Deprtment said on its Facebook page.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Madison anticipated, the First Amendment wasn’t a cure for a government bent on suppressing dissent.—
Donald Nieman,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
-
By suppressing appetite, the drug can help induce weight loss.—
Surina Venkat,
The Hill,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The games themselves are embarrassing enough to watch.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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More recently, that type of direction has become outdated — in a way, even embarrassing to request.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Involuntary jerky motions and stiffness are common, as well as trouble walking, speaking and swallowing.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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Rising seas and flooding are swallowing our homes.—
ABC Climate Unit,
ABC News,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Now, the election outcome is being challenged, tying up the proceedings with the National Labor Relations Board, and leaving workers in limbo for an indefinite period until a decision is finalized by the government agency.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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You’re paid for the risk of tying up money.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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