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
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
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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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
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The criminal complaint says authorities are charging Henson with damaging government property or contracts and assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During her run as a privateering vessel, the Dash and other ships like her were regarded as a sort of sea militia working for the United States against a stifling British blockade of New England ports.—
Leanna Renee Hieber,
Big Think,
2 Oct. 2025
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The Real Betis players seemed intent on stifling his influence by kicking him, with Anderson fouled five times — as many as any other player.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Higher tariff costs are hampering Nike's efforts to turn around its business.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
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The rains brought the state capital to a standstill, seriously hampering preparations for the upcoming Durga Puja — the biggest annual festival of Hindus in West Bengal state.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 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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Defensively, Matt Roy, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Martin Fehervary all excel at suppressing chances, complementing the team’s two star defenders well.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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China has manipulated the market by suppressing prices to drive Western competition from the market, said Ryan Castilloux, founder of Adamas Intelligence, a critical mineral market research firm.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That behavior is embarrassing anywhere, and goes against all of golf etiquette.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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That wasn't Carey's first time embarrassing her children.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nearly 3,000 growing chasms have opened up in dozens of towns, swallowing up roads and houses in their path.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Oct. 2025
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The little girl also had trouble swallowing for a couple of days afterward, her mother said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Griffith and CityBeat reporter Madeline Fening are facing charges, including disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, obstructing a highway and obstructing an emergency responder.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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On Thursday, former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on felony charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding.—
Max Rego,
The Hill,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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