holding back

verb

Definition of holding backnext
present participle of hold back
1
as in impeding
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 stifling
to refrain from openly showing or uttering held back her tears until she was alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back
  1. impeding
  2. stifling
  3. suppressing
  4. swallowing
  5. obstructing
Verb
  • Old equipment and years of mergers and acquisitions are likely impeding the ability of telecommunications providers to toss Beijing out of their networks.
    Sam Sabin, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
  • For individuals who are unable to pay the fines, alternative punishments could include impeding passport renewal, vehicle registration, obtaining country exit permits, or the ability to acquire or renew driver's licenses.
    Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Definition of impeding
Verb
  • But those constraints can be stifling, often forcing advertisers to stick to predictable storytelling beats that have worked in the past, resulting in ads that can feel generic.
    Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • At the same time, maintaining strong security without stifling innovation is always a pressing concern for both organizations and governments.
    Rizwan Jan, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Definition of stifling
Verb
  • In this way, Bon upends conventional thought to ask what if concrete infrastructure supports nature rather than suppressing it?
    Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
  • This legislation would ensure defendants can quickly end meritless, speech-suppressing lawsuits in federal court and recover their legal costs.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Definition of suppressing
Verb
  • Bird flu symptoms in humans include typical flu-like symptoms such as eye redness, sore throat, runny nose, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, body aches, fatigue, trouble swallowing or fever.
    Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The longest ever captured in Florida measured 19 feet, and biologists have documented a 16-foot snake swallowing a 77-pound deer.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Dec. 2024
Definition of swallowing
Verb
  • Bateman posted bond but was arrested again, accused of obstructing justice in a federal investigation.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The earlier felony counts include possession of methamphetamine, possession of narcotic drugs and bail jumping and misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of obstructing
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near holding back

holding a candle to

holding back

holding down

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Cite this Entry

“Holding back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20back. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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