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
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán doubled down Monday on an unsubstantiated claim that Ukraine is deliberately holding back shipments of Russian oil, and accused Kyiv of seeking to topple his government.
—
Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 24 Feb. 2026
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán doubled down Monday on an unsubstantiated allegation that Ukraine is deliberately holding back shipments of Russian oil, and accused Kyiv of seeking to topple his government.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Some businesses may also be holding back on adding jobs out of uncertainty about whether AI will enable them to produce more without finding new employees.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Some businesses may also be holding back on adding jobs out of uncertainty about whether artificial intelligence will enable them to produce more without finding new employees.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
There have been performances this year where Cowan has been holding back the tears, unable to separate himself from the emotion.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 24 Feb. 2026
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán doubled down Monday on an unsubstantiated allegation that Ukraine is deliberately holding back shipments of Russian oil, and accused Kyiv of seeking to topple his government.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Some businesses may also be holding back on adding jobs out of uncertainty about whether AI will enable them to produce more without finding new employees.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Some businesses may also be holding back on adding jobs out of uncertainty about whether artificial intelligence will enable them to produce more without finding new employees.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
There have been performances this year where Cowan has been holding back the tears, unable to separate himself from the emotion.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back
Verb
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Bill Essayli, federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have aggressively charged protesters with assaulting and impeding the actions of immigration agents, filing more than 100 cases.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Homan said nearly 160 people were arrested in the month of January for impeding or assaulting federal officers.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Gophers shot 57% in the first half and their stifling defense that allowed only 44 points in a win at Oregon earlier in the week held Rutgers to 36% shooting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
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The Trojans eventually settled in on offense, but their stifling defense would have to lead the way throughout.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dry air and gusty winds are hampering fire crews, particularly in the southern Rockies and Plains, where blustery conditions in New Mexico and Texas are fueling rapid spread through tinder-dry grasses.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Rescuers faced a winter storm dumping more than 2 inches of snow an hour in the area, grounding rescue helicopters and hampering ground crews trying to reach the missing skiers, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Here's how often to prune succulents without hindering their growth.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
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At last week’s Rio de Janeiro Open, there was an even more severe case of a hindrance hindering the player who committed it much more than the player on the other side of the net.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Larry Ellison’s takeover of TikTok has led to claims by users that the app is suppressing pro-Palestine content.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
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Democrats and voting-rights activists say the past and current moves are aimed at suppressing turnout of voters who don’t support the majority party.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Check the tightness of your jewelry periodically (with clean hands) to prevent swallowing or choking if the jewelry becomes loose.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2026
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Those who prefer taking their supplements in liquid form to avoid swallowing pills will love that this comes in two refreshing flavors—lemon mint and cacao mint.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
21 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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That high mortgage payment reduces monthly cash flow, tying up more income that might otherwise be used for other investments.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
26 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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