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
  • Of those, 608 have been charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
  • While inside, the affidavit said, Roe shoved an officer and wrapped his arm around the officer, impeding him from defending police from the rioters.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
Definition of impeding
Verb
  • However, a lack of autonomy growing up can strongly trigger the need for independence and reinforce negative attitudes about how future relationships may continue to be stifling.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
  • The core of their legal challenge revolves around claims that the charter agreement breaches antitrust laws by stifling competition.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of stifling
Verb
  • Ice protects fish eggs by suppressing winds and waves that can stir up the sediment, reducing the number of fish that hatch in the spring.
    Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Instead of suppressing your emotions, practice emotional validation—acknowledge and accept your feelings without judgment.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of suppressing
Verb
  • Kids older than one year can be given honey to help neutralize the damage, but swallowing a button battery is a life-threatening emergency for which parents should immediately seek medical care.
    Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Similarly, applying a wellness patch is painless in comparison to swallowing a handful of pills.
    Emily Burns, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of swallowing
Verb
  • According to officers, Kerley was obstructing their investigation and was told to step away.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
  • She was additionally charged with four counts of resisting or obstructing a police officer.
    Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2025
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 20 Jan. 2025.

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