1
as in hampered
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 stifled
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 held back
But Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Stjepan Radelijic held back Sergiño Dest just outside the box, forcing the referee to pull out a yellow card and give the USMNT a grade-A opportunity to pull away a bit in the 80th minute.
—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
During the press tour, Zendaya and Holland haven't held back with their red carpet style, especially the Euphoria star, who has taken the superhero theme to new heights.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
2 July 2026
Sequential integration for CFETs One of the biggest barriers that’s held back sequential processes is the scorching temperatures needed to make high-quality transistors.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
25 June 2026
This never held back the Kennedys before.
—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Muñoz scored in the 76th minute after the Colombians had been held back by a strong performance from Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made five difficult saves in the first 20 minutes.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
Greenspan held back, trusting that institutions risking their own money would not risk too much, Blinder said.
—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Introduced by William Grant & Sons in 2024, the brand draws on malt and grain whiskies from the family's private reserves, stocks that have been held back from the blending pool for decades.
—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Electric aviation has always been held back by the same physics problem.
—
Omar Kardoudi
june 12,
New Atlas,
12 June 2026
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
During the press tour, Zendaya and Holland haven't held back with their red carpet style, especially the Euphoria star, who has taken the superhero theme to new heights.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
2 July 2026
Sequential integration for CFETs One of the biggest barriers that’s held back sequential processes is the scorching temperatures needed to make high-quality transistors.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
25 June 2026
This never held back the Kennedys before.
—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Muñoz scored in the 76th minute after the Colombians had been held back by a strong performance from Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made five difficult saves in the first 20 minutes.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
Greenspan held back, trusting that institutions risking their own money would not risk too much, Blinder said.
—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Introduced by William Grant & Sons in 2024, the brand draws on malt and grain whiskies from the family's private reserves, stocks that have been held back from the blending pool for decades.
—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Electric aviation has always been held back by the same physics problem.
—
Omar Kardoudi
june 12,
New Atlas,
12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back
Verb
-
Chwalińska took a medical timeout for an ankle injury at the end of the game and was clearly hampered by it for the rest of the match.
-
Securing reservations at elite restaurants and bars has become a competitive, multi-billion dollar market, often hampered by bots and fragmented systems.
Verb
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Likewise, inventories of unsold wine have stifled any sense of buying urgency.
-
After feeling stifled in the corporate world, Gaudin said Inches has given him the freedom to embrace his creativity and show other LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs that ownership is possible.
Verb
-
The Great American State Fair kicked off last week, though the 16-day event has been hindered by weather shutdowns, technical difficulties and low attendance.
-
Smith has long complained that Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, hindered the province’s energy industry and fueled separatist sentiment.
Verb
-
Oracle Park’s spacious dimensions and San Francisco’s chilly climate have suppressed home runs for more than two decades, but this was a true no-doubt blast that cleared the left-center field fence by plenty of feet.
-
In effect, the program was suppressed and hidden rather than truly removed.
Verb
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Supporters had campaigned for Merlin to be allowed into the Azteca to witness Mexico’s final group game — but the dabbler found his free passage impeded on Wednesday evening by FIFA regulations.
-
The Sugar Act directly impeded colonial drinking, as molasses is a key ingredient in rum.
Verb
-
Each player swallowed a biometric tablet, about the size of a large vitamin, so that scientists could see how well his body cooled itself.
-
Today, the border's meanderings to its current location is the story of the birth of a nation that swallowed Native American tribes, Spanish descendants and Mexican citizens.
Verb
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At one point, the narrator, embarrassed by his own act of cruelty, gives a sobbing woman all his money and then leaves her alone in a hotel room.
-
The Chicago White Sox, a team many left for dead at the start of the year, embarrassed the Kansas City Royals Friday night, 22-1.
Verb
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Officers attempted to detain suspects at Turk and Taylor streets, but other people surrounded and obstructed them in an attempt to free the people, Rueca said.
-
Srebnick also questioned Alber about how the view of the channel marker Pino slammed into was obstructed by other markers.
Cite this Entry
“Held back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20back. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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