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
Jack Antonoff isn’t holding back on his thoughts on music makers who use artificial intelligence.
—
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Plus, Superjumbo has been holding back on things like listening parties and has turned down artists that wanted to do in-store performances because of the limited space, according to Mancuso.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Ukraine has developed cutting-edge and battle-tested drone technology that has proved essential in holding back Russia’s bigger army and has drawn military interest from around the world.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
The art world has been in a recession for 15 years, galleries are closing, young collectors are holding back, and artists trying to make it in the major market centers are living on the brink of poverty.
—Magnus Resch, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
As multiple world powers invest heavily in Ukrainian expertise and joint production with the Ukrainian government and private companies, only the Pentagon is holding back.
—Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
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
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Plus, Superjumbo has been holding back on things like listening parties and has turned down artists that wanted to do in-store performances because of the limited space, according to Mancuso.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Ukraine has developed cutting-edge and battle-tested drone technology that has proved essential in holding back Russia’s bigger army and has drawn military interest from around the world.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
The art world has been in a recession for 15 years, galleries are closing, young collectors are holding back, and artists trying to make it in the major market centers are living on the brink of poverty.
—Magnus Resch, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
As multiple world powers invest heavily in Ukrainian expertise and joint production with the Ukrainian government and private companies, only the Pentagon is holding back.
—Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back
Verb
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At only 32 inches wide and just over a foot deep, this chest of drawers provides ample storage space without impeding a walkway or taking over your small bedroom.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
13 May 2026
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The insurance industry has pushed back, arguing the bill would ultimately make coverage less affordable by impeding accurate pricing.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Birds eat and digest the seeds, then the plant grows in dense stands and blocks sunlight from reaching other young plants, overcrowding or stifling other species.—
Sarah Everett,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
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Before Sunday’s game, the Charge had struggled to generate a ton of offense in general against a stifling Boston defense.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
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In the third game of his career, the 2024 second-round pick re-tore the ACL in his right knee, further hampering an injury history that dated back to his final year at the University of Texas.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
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According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the truck drove through the airport's version of a stop light and the vehicle lacked a transponder, hampering a crash warning system.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Officials say that bright sunlight hindering the driver's vision could be a possible contributing factor.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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The state law DeSantis signed last summer bars local governments from enforcing regulations hindering the construction or operation of a presidential library, as defined by the federal Presidential Libraries Act.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Their basic antitrust allegation was that NCAA member schools fixed prices by limiting the number of slots for coach employees, thus suppressing opportunities and wages.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
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Renovations of the House chamber will force members to meet at the Old State Capitol, where, decades ago, Mississippi lawmakers passed Jim Crow laws suppressing Black voting.—
Jack Brook,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Symptoms of salmonella poisoning Symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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The brand's Bella stretch jeans are equally suitable, designed to fit without swallowing small frames.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Lutnick's voluntary closed-door interview comes amid a monthslong procession of powerful people summoned before the committee, many of whom have been subjected to embarrassing revelations in the more than 3 million pages of records known as the Epstein files.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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The Game 4 defeat – the no-silver-lining, embarrassing 6-1 loss – left a particularly rancid taste in everyone’s mouth.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Thirty seconds later, Faber’s shot from the point ticked off Heiskanen’s glove and past Oettinger, tying up the game 1-1.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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