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
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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
In another video of the incident, posted on Facebook, Bryan is captured trying to hop over the fence in an attempt to get to Adcock, before he is held back by security.
—
Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Espinoza said media companies have largely held back from boxing because of its discord.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Inmates who can be identified for RRC should not be held back because of capacity issues to meet their needs for a return to society.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Zohny said the medical team held back all medications that caused his sedation.
—Cara Anthony, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
In May, a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, killed George Floyd while a Hmong officer held back the crowd.
—Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Hair shaggy, uniform untucked, his face like an arrow pulled taut, Danny held back the whole class with his antics.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Historical disruptions to scarcity Advertisement Industrial revolutions throughout history expanded abundance, but in every wave, scarcity held back progress.
—Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
Robles was immediately ejected from the game and was held back from charging the mound.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Escher Walcott, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Espinoza said media companies have largely held back from boxing because of its discord.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Inmates who can be identified for RRC should not be held back because of capacity issues to meet their needs for a return to society.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Zohny said the medical team held back all medications that caused his sedation.
—Cara Anthony, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
In May, a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, killed George Floyd while a Hmong officer held back the crowd.
—Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Hair shaggy, uniform untucked, his face like an arrow pulled taut, Danny held back the whole class with his antics.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Historical disruptions to scarcity Advertisement Industrial revolutions throughout history expanded abundance, but in every wave, scarcity held back progress.
—Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
Robles was immediately ejected from the game and was held back from charging the mound.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back
Verb
-
The investigation has been hampered by peculiar challenges, though, perhaps none greater than the fact that the entire city in which the crime occurred has vanished.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Dry conditions have hampered quail reproduction across parts of Arizona, leading to concerns about future populations.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The equity-grading scandal underscores a destructive phenomenon, which since the 1960s has increasingly stifled America’s can-do spirit with countless rules and regulations.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Woods Richardson, who allowed just two hits, outdueled Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, who completely stifled the Twins (66-84) the last time the two teams played.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trump criticized Powell for raising rates during his first term, arguing that such actions hindered economic growth.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In Wind River, the investigation into Natalie's death is hindered by a troubling legal gap.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Air defenses downed or suppressed 52 drones, the air force said, with the missile and six drones impacting across three locations.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Although Canon had mandated that the Cat's programmability be suppressed, the IAI team nevertheless maintained the ability to compute expressions, which Canon permitted as an extension of the editor metaphor.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The implementation of the SCORE Act could be impeded by other types of legal challenges.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Additionally, debris removal took place, including significant debris that impeded roadways and public spaces, and damage occurred to water control facilities, utilities and parks and recreation facilities.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In a sight that became more-than-familiar to Boise State fans, Jeanty seemed to be swallowed in the scrum at the line of scrimmage, before bursting out of the side and powering himself into the endzone.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Participants in the treatment group swallowed 28 capsules over two days, each containing gut bacteria from four donors.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After the Detroit Tigers embarrassed them in two games, outscoring them 23-3 earlier this week, the Yankees have won the first two games of their series against the Boston Red Sox.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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We wouldn’t be embarrassed by it, nor would the audience.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lottery seats may be partially obstructed.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Ogles launched a congressional probe into O’Connell, claiming his administration obstructed ICE operations.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Held back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20back. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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