1
as in hampers
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 stifles
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 holds back
The hydropower from Glen Canyon Dam that holds back Lake Powell serves more than 350,000 homes.
—
ABC News, 8 May 2026
Nmecha holds back, posing doubt for Sanchez and a narrow window for his pass out.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The company holds back 30% of the equity to cover its selling costs, settlement charges and miscellaneous other fees, including 9% per day on all advanced funds.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Sophie holds back and cries in her room.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Neutral is considered a spot that neither boosts nor holds back economic activity, and the funds rate is just half a percentage point above where most on the FOMC see the rate landing over the long term.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Jan. 2026
ABC News, 8 May 2026
Nmecha holds back, posing doubt for Sanchez and a narrow window for his pass out.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The company holds back 30% of the equity to cover its selling costs, settlement charges and miscellaneous other fees, including 9% per day on all advanced funds.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Sophie holds back and cries in her room.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Neutral is considered a spot that neither boosts nor holds back economic activity, and the funds rate is just half a percentage point above where most on the FOMC see the rate landing over the long term.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holds back
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
That stifles competition at home and, with China’s dependence on global consumption, raises concerns about dumping and deflation abroad.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
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Balance the state budget and tackle affordability while working with cities to promote small businesses to hire more by creating a business friendly environment such as cutting taxes and cutting red tape that stifles growth.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Current dependence on rare earth elements or precious metals often hinders the widespread adoption of electrolysis systems.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
22 May 2026
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Making every decision for your teenager hinders their ability to build independence.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The answer is that dim residential lighting, at intensities typical of a porch light, suppresses mosquito dormancy more powerfully than even urban warming does.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Pregnancy suppresses the immune system, and dozens of pregnant women or women who had recently given birth died from COVID in California.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
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This ruling sets a troubling precedent that undermines protections afforded to interstate commerce and impedes site remediation, as well as the safe and effective long-term management of these materials for customers in Michigan and throughout the country.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
Supporters describe it as a first-of-its-kind provision that could reduce gun violence, but critics say such technology impedes on free expression.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Infection can happen when someone accidentally swallows contaminated water from pools, splashpads, lakes, or rivers.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
1 June 2026
-
Sinkhole at LaGuardia swallows plans One of only two runways at New York’s bustling LaGuardia Airport remains closed as fallout from Wednesday’s discovery of a sinkhole on the pavement spills into the weekend.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2026
-
White insisted on the extra room to ensure that nothing obstructs the White House TV shot.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20back. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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