HOLDING BACK Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

holding back

verb

present participle of hold back

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of holding back Forty-five percent cite fear of becoming replaceable as their reason for holding back, and only 16% believe their company is adopting AI for genuine business value rather than hype or competitive pressure. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026 The selloff in chip stocks and AI-beneficiaries was holding back the market’s attempt at a rally. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 July 2026 Speculation swirled in March and April that the Mets were holding back to take advantage of dynamic pricing during a hopeful second-half pennant chase. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026 The thinking now is to use our best treatments early instead of holding back. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 23 July 2026 While the Illigs are still part of Sporting KC’s day-to-day operations — and maintain their seat on the MLS’ Board of Governors — Mallouk doesn’t seem to be holding back on his own involvement. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026 Many CEOs who run this experiment are surprised by how much intelligence the team had been holding back. — Janet M Harvey, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 But that's not the only thing holding back first-time buyers. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 7 July 2026 But it hadn't been spotted in Lake Superior, leading researchers to speculate that water temperatures or other factors were holding back its spread there. — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 3 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back

Verb

Benedict had a prior arrest on a charge of assault on a family or household member by impeding breath or circulation in 2023 in Collin County.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
That number is expected to rise dramatically in the coming years, further impeding scientific discovery.

— Chris Young July 28, Refractor, 28 July 2026

Definition of impeding

Verb

With the city hall's toilets out of order, officials erected emergency toilets over sewer manholes outside the building, in temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and stifling humidity.

— USA Today, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Temperatures Friday were due to rise to 36 C (97 F) in Kumamoto city, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, after stifling 35 C (95 F) heat on Thursday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of stifling

Verb

Gale-force winds were hampering aircraft from dumping water on the flames.

— Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
What our clients most cited as the biggest constraints hampering development and dealmaking is approval timelines and permitting, narrowly ahead of construction costs and zoning restrictions.

— Lee Kiser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of hampering

Verb

Jokes about Modi were rare during earlier protests, when his government was criticized for suppressing dissent.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
The idea is to enable riders to accelerate earlier and utilize more of the motorcycle’s capabilities when traction gets erratic rather than just suppressing wheelspin.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

Websites often attract unsuitable clients due to ineffective copy, hindering business growth.

— Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Banking, roads and internet services have largely been disrupted since then, hindering the flow of information, meaning Reuters could not independently verify the figure of over 30 dead given by the JAAC about the clashes around Rawalakot.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 July 2026

Definition of hindering

Verb

If there is swelling spreading well beyond the bite, a rash breaking out elsewhere on your body, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, treat that as an emergency and get medical help right away.

— Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 29 July 2026
Depending on how much toxin was consumed, symptoms may start within a few hours and may include trouble swallowing, speaking and breathing, nausea and blurred vision.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026

Definition of swallowing

Verb

The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin more than four years after Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbor.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Kyiv’s forces have targeted Russian oil facilities, causing fuel shortages and embarrassing President Vladimir Putin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

The episode centered on the botched transfer of crime boss Heath Everett (Jeffrey Vincent Parise), but true fans were more glued to the love story tying up between Winter’s Tim Bradford and Melissa O’Neil’s Lucy Chen.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Much of the penultimate episode is about tying up loose ends and spending some wholesome time together before the eliminations inevitably begin, and … honestly, everyone is just getting along pretty well.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 11 July 2026