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
Kim had even held back in her first run.
—
Sean Gregory, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
These meetings are usually held back-to-back on the day council is scheduled to vote on the budget, so this amendment would eliminate the need to have two meetings.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
Diabate attempted to charge again at Duren and had to be held back.
—Steve Reed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
In the fourth quarter, Hornets coach Charles Lee was tossed from the game and needed to be held back after screaming at officials following a no-call when his player, Grant Williams, collided with Pistons’ Paul Reed.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Billed as being in the spirit of Cars and Planes, the story revolves around the titular Tudy, an intrepid young lifeboat who dreams of adventures on the high seas but is held back by her father, the Admiral, who is still haunted by the loss of his wife.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Some documents are likely to be held back because of the police investigation.
—Jill Lawless The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
Other candidates had secured a plethora of media interviews, but Warsh held back.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
On the Senate side, the Appropriations Committee held back three of 32 bills.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Sean Gregory, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
These meetings are usually held back-to-back on the day council is scheduled to vote on the budget, so this amendment would eliminate the need to have two meetings.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
Diabate attempted to charge again at Duren and had to be held back.
—Steve Reed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
In the fourth quarter, Hornets coach Charles Lee was tossed from the game and needed to be held back after screaming at officials following a no-call when his player, Grant Williams, collided with Pistons’ Paul Reed.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Billed as being in the spirit of Cars and Planes, the story revolves around the titular Tudy, an intrepid young lifeboat who dreams of adventures on the high seas but is held back by her father, the Admiral, who is still haunted by the loss of his wife.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Some documents are likely to be held back because of the police investigation.
—Jill Lawless The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
Other candidates had secured a plethora of media interviews, but Warsh held back.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
On the Senate side, the Appropriations Committee held back three of 32 bills.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back
Verb
-
Democratic lawmakers condemn Maxwell’s plea Democrats in the House Oversight Committee denounced Maxwell’s request for a presidential pardon and suggested that Trump’s refusal to rule out such a possibility has hampered the committee’s inquiry.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As has been the case many a time during the season, giveaways hampered Golden State for much of the night.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Impressive defense from Vanderbilt stifled A&M's shooters and forced 11 Aggie turnovers.—
American Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
She feels stifled when she can’t be trusted to do things on her own.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The lengthy cord, which is six feet in total, ensures your productivity will never be hindered by a low battery.—
Kelsey Borovinsky,
Architectural Digest,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Whereas Apollo space suits were akin to wearing an inflated balloon that greatly hindered motion, the AxEMU is designed with flexible joints that give astronauts mobility to kneel, jog or even do the splits.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched two missiles and 183 drones into the country overnight, of which 156 drones were shot down or suppressed.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Congress was sidelined, independent media was suppressed, and opponents were detained, all under a veneer of legal authority.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The ministry posted a statement in Spanish on X saying Consulate officials immediately impeded the agents from entering the consulate’s premises, protecting Ecuadorian nationals who were inside the building.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The film follows numerous women, including a journalist, who were impeded in their search for justice thanks to nine-figure defamation suits.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Everywhere the Patriots went, the Seahawks swallowed them.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
With the longer-term future of HBO Max somewhat uncertain given what could happen if it gets swallowed up by one of the world’s biggest streamers, Perrette pushed back on the idea that Netflix top brass would be unhappy with HBO Max rolling out across the world.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their votes sunk Belichick’s chances and embarrassed the Hall of Fame in the process.—
Rob Maaddi,
Twin Cities,
28 Jan. 2026
-
However, the Yankees' title drought reached 16 seasons after getting embarrassed by the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series, and calls for change were louder than ever.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Under her watch, Americans have been murdered in cold blood, DHS has obstructed lawful congressional oversight, dismissed credible reports of abuse, carried out an extreme agenda that tears families apart and destabilizes communities.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
David Schenker, senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, testified that while Hezbollah has been weakened militarily, the pace of disarmament remains slow and obstructed.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Held back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20back. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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