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 New York Jets are 0-6, and their star receiver is not holding back his frustrations.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
The precise mechanics now accepted as holding back player development in the States — the pay-to-play model at youth level, the limitations of MLS — were not really considered.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
His unwillingness to name a successor is fueling fears of impending political chaos, World Politics Review said, and arguably holding back progress in the country.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
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
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
The precise mechanics now accepted as holding back player development in the States — the pay-to-play model at youth level, the limitations of MLS — were not really considered.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
His unwillingness to name a successor is fueling fears of impending political chaos, World Politics Review said, and arguably holding back progress in the country.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back
Verb
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Trump characterized the cities as in crisis and accused leaders of impeding immigration operations.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
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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
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
-
With injuries and inconsistency hampering the wide receiver corps, the Commanders are set to host former Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Treylon Burks.—
Josh Buckhalter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary with the Department of Homeland Security, claimed that the demonstrators were preventing an ICE vehicle from leaving the federal facility and hampering operations.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mounting debt has been hindering savings for many Americans.—
Sharon Epperson,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
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My toxic relationship with alcohol left me stagnant with closed eyes, hindering my growth and my healing.—
Essence,
Essence,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Pocketbook issues – high prices of goods, inflation and possible weakening in the labor market – are suppressing sentiment.—
Joanne Hsu,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
-
This group includes patients undergoing cancer treatment, transplant recipients and individuals taking immune-suppressing medications.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Bears lost this matchup in embarrassing fashion last year as the Commanders completed a Hail Mary with time expiring.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The games themselves are embarrassing enough to watch.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
8 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
-
Rising seas and flooding are swallowing our homes.—
ABC Climate Unit,
ABC News,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Djerf admitted to tying up Patricia and Damien Luna, who were the only ones at home.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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