HOLDING (BACK) Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

holding back

verb

present participle of hold back

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

as in stifling

to refrain from openly showing or uttering held back her tears until she was alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of holding back Jessica held tightly onto the straps of her backpack, holding back her emotions. — Norma Galeana, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 Disney and others went through periods of holding back shows to bolster their SVODs. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 The revelation that Microsoft was holding back capacity — and in turn limiting Azure revenue — for a product that wasn't even seriously in the AI conversation, made the spending concerns even more understandable. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 European textile recycling alliance ReHubs has appointed Béatrice Moureaux chief executive officer as the organization works to address the investment and demand barriers holding back textile-to-textile recycling capacity in Europe. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Bolsonaro argues Brazil's hefty national debt is holding back the economy and a top campaign adviser has pledged to reduce it by slashing spending along the lines of Argentina's Javier Milei. — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 Quick wins will not fix the structural flaws holding back growth. — Dan Restrepo, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026 Shailene Woodley’s stylist isn’t holding back after the actress’s Emmys look caused a stir on social media. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026 Logs can do the job of beaver dams holding back and spreading a stream. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding back

Verb

Rucker says crews arrived to find flames inside the building, but racks inside were impeding their movement and eventually blocked their exits, leading two firefighters to suffer burns.

— Ashley Grams, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
The insects tunnel their way into the trunk, impeding the tree’s water and nutrient supply and killing it within a year.

— Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of impeding

Verb

The worm, however impossible to miss, is shoved, bumped, and pushed around with everyone else in the stifling subway car.

— Deadline, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
The Canal+ Group’s shuttering of the Showmax streaming service earlier this year was just the latest example of how a distribution chokepoint is stifling Africa’s creative boom.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of stifling

Verb

Kyiv sees this as an attempt to pressure it into concessions by hampering its aerial defense and military operations.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026
Virus-carrying midges are hampering deer season in South Dakota, where an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease has prompted South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to issue deer license refunds.

— Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of hampering

Verb

Embracing uncertainty does not mean ignoring danger, suppressing disappointment or insisting that every setback is positive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
In addition to suppressing screen tearing, the Pro upgrade adds color and luminance certification as well as HDR compatibility.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppressing

Verb

And warming temperatures are hindering their ability to perform essential functions.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
Royce Moser, 18, is facing charges including murder, while his mother, 56-year-old Rachel Moser, is facing charges including hindering apprehension of a fugitive, according to court records.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of hindering

Verb

By institutional convention, such a show would unfold chronologically; but as its curator, the Native designer Brian Johnson, notes, time is a snake swallowing its own tail.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
The Medicare Advantage and D-SNP list drops authorization for speech and language treatment, group speech treatment, swallowing dysfunction and spinal chiropractic manipulation.

— JP Montoya, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of swallowing

Verb

My New York neighbors barely said hello; in Singapore, a stranger would probably politely look away rather than risk embarrassing you.

— Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
After those results went public, embarrassing Muñiz and a few other judges, the Florida Bar stopped conducting surveys and publishing the results … leaving Florida voters with even fewer resources.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

Zelensky and Merz are tying up a significant defense and industrial partnership, which will see the two countries finalize a deal for the production of drones and missiles.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
For Garfield, playing Altman was tying up a loose end in his career.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026