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
  • The Department of Transportation said more than 400 roads are closed in the state, impeding travel and rescue efforts.
    NBC News, NBC News, 30 Sep. 2024
  • For slower, first-time marathoners, the risk of a super shoe impeding their efforts may not be worth the meager potential reward, especially at these prices.
    Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 29 Sep. 2024
Definition of impeding
Verb
  • Fintech companies and their partners must collaborate closely with regulators to develop standards that protect consumers without stifling innovation.
    Zareef Hamid, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
  • These outdated practices are slowing down your teams, stifling progress and ultimately costing you money.
    Patrick Reynolds, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Definition of stifling
Verb
  • The material achieves this by reacting strongly with the battery electrodes and suppressing processes that generate hydrogen.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2024
  • Research has shown that suppressing emotional expression leads to poorer conversation quality and a reduced sense of connection.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Definition of suppressing
Verb
  • Epinephrine injections, or EpiPens, are reserved for people with severe allergic reactions — such as trouble breathing or swallowing — which can sometimes be life-threatening.
    Erika Edwards, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
  • Generally, those neurons control skeletal muscle activity, including walking, breathing, speaking and swallowing, according to the National Institutes of Health.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of swallowing
Verb
  • However, unlike a lot of heavy side bangs that don't reach beyond the eyebrows, Rihanna's are rather long and, thus, obstructing her view, sometimes over both eyes.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 4 Oct. 2024
  • He was also accused of abetting the ex-minister in obstructing the course of justice.
    Low De Wei and Bernadette Toh / Bloomberg, TIME, 4 Oct. 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 1 Dec. 2024.

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