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
Relevance
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
Samsung traditionally holds back one color in the Galaxy S range to be a web exclusive and drive consumers to its website, although typically this is one of the standard black or grey colors.
—
Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
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
Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
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
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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Micromanagement stifles creativity, motivation, and productivity.—
Maria Ross,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
In others, limited access to data, modelling tools, and technical expertise hinders the translation of energy and climate goals into implementable pathways.—
Francesco La Camera,
Time,
19 Nov. 2025
-
The cases of Ferial and Papa Moussa reveal the opaque system that hinders or prevents the identification of migrant bodies.—
Okba Mohammad & Anna Surinyach,
The Dial,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the other, a teenage girl suppresses feelings for her female best friend.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
-
One hand suppresses the vote; the other strangles the organizing that defends it.—
Essence,
Essence,
20 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When wealth impedes authenticity, the consequences can extend well into economic, cultural, and civic spheres.—
David H. Rosmarin,
Time,
10 June 2026
-
In the Boston case, the states argued that the policy impedes their ability to hire primary and secondary school educators and to staff public colleges and universities, will stymie academic research and will lead to a decline in medical workers.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Dark wood furniture swallows light and takes up floor space in hallways.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
7 June 2026
-
As the ocean swallows her fishing village on Mexico’s Gulf Coast, one woman leads the effort to relocate her community while struggling to let go of the sea that shaped her life.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But the stunt goes south as Wooley turns out to be an unabashed bigot who embarrasses the show and gets scolded by the host.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 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,
14 June 2026
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Holds back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holds%20back. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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