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
As each mourner spoke, some holding back tears and others sobbing, Metayer’s family watched in loving silence.
—
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
These two characters have been holding back all season and not talking to each other, and this was the moment to let everything out.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Claire, holding back tears, attempts CPR.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Women’s sports is no different, and placing expectations for greater decorum on it is a way of holding back the game’s growth.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
The video shows a security guard holding back a male security guard who is moving toward a young man who throws his backpack on the ground, and appears ready to fight as the woman is being handcuffed.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Productivity is rising, but slow deployment is holding back capacity.
—Paul S. Lavoie, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
The Hungarian government has recently accused Kyiv of deliberately holding back Russian oil deliveries through the pipeline, which crosses Ukraine's territory.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026
The Hungarian government has recently accused Kyiv of deliberately holding back Russian oil deliveries through the pipeline, which crosses Ukraine’s territory.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
These two characters have been holding back all season and not talking to each other, and this was the moment to let everything out.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Claire, holding back tears, attempts CPR.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Women’s sports is no different, and placing expectations for greater decorum on it is a way of holding back the game’s growth.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
The video shows a security guard holding back a male security guard who is moving toward a young man who throws his backpack on the ground, and appears ready to fight as the woman is being handcuffed.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Productivity is rising, but slow deployment is holding back capacity.
—Paul S. Lavoie, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
The Hungarian government has recently accused Kyiv of deliberately holding back Russian oil deliveries through the pipeline, which crosses Ukraine's territory.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026
The Hungarian government has recently accused Kyiv of deliberately holding back Russian oil deliveries through the pipeline, which crosses Ukraine’s territory.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back
Verb
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In January, Geren notified more than 50 of the 62 Democrats that each owes $9,200 in fines and other charges for impeding the progress of the House by not showing up in the Capitol last August as lawmakers deliberated a plan to overhaul the state's congressional map.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Apr. 2026
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Miller's family members openly accused then-sheriff Marion Joe Russell of impeding the investigation, as Nipp was Russell's nephew.—
Jessie Christopher Smith,
Oklahoman,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The order also states that the government may suspend or ban state contracts with AI companies that violate existing civil liberties, such as stifling freedom of speech or engaging in surveillance.—
Richard Sill,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
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The Gamecocks played stifling defense to knock off UConn 62-48 and end the defending champion Huskies’ 54-game winning streak in the Final Four on Friday night.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Brian Hooker reported his wife missing on Sunday, April 5, saying she had been swept away from a dingy which lost power the night before, hampering his ability to seek help.—
Cristian Benavides,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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The moves have reportedly left the task force without prosecutors with national security experience, hampering its goal to root out American connections to the Hamas attacks (which included 40 Americans among its approximately 1,200 victims).—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Through the fall and winter, as the Justice Department demanded that states turn over confidential voter roll information, Team America worked to solve problems hindering the use of digital tools to comb the lists for noncitizens who had illegally registered to vote.—
Doug Bock Clark,
ProPublica,
13 Apr. 2026
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After Congress rejected those cuts earlier this year, the White House slowed the release of NIH grant money, hindering ongoing and future scientific research.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Moss is low-maintenance, eco-friendly, and can thrive in various environments, benefiting gardens by controlling erosion and suppressing weeds.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
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Echinacea may interact with caffeine and immune-suppressing medications, though more research is needed to confirm this.—
Megan Nunn,
Verywell Health,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In February, Weber voluntarily recalled 3 million brushes after at least 38 reports of small wire bristles breaking, including four reports of consumers swallowing bristles.—
Carolyn Gusoff,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The notion of the swaggering state swallowing a chunk of its resistant neighbor is completely far-fetched.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This risks embarrassing them if it is damaged and there is nothing that can be done about it.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
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And when that happens, Jamahl Mosley — a good coach and an even better man — will be the fall guy for a team that is embarrassing itself on a national scale and getting exposed in the league standings.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mubadala has recently become one of the most aggressive Gulf sovereign wealth funds, embarking on a dealmaking spree, tying up with some of the biggest names in global finance, and taking a more active role leading on investments rather than being a passive capital provider.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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This online collection included images of mutilation and tying up women with ropes, two things prosecutors said are consistent with injuries inflicted on Mack and how she was bound, officials said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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