Synonyms for hold back
hold back

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. hold back

   To restrain is to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force. Constrain is positive; restrain is negative; one is constrained to an action; he is restrained from an action. Constrain refers almost exclusively to moral force, restrain frequently to physical force, as when we speak of putting one under restraint. To restrain an action is to hold it partially or wholly in check, so that it is under pressure even while it acts; to restrict an action is to fix a limit or boundary which it may not pass, but within which it is free. To repress, literally to press back, is to hold in check, and perhaps only temporarily, that which is still very active; it is a feebler word than restrain; to suppress is finally and effectually to put down; suppress is a much stronger word than restrain; as, to suppress a rebellion. Compare ARREST; BIND; KEEP.

   Synonyms:
   abridge, bridle, check, circumscribe, confine, constrain, curb, hinder, hold, hold in, keep, keep back, keep down, keep in, keep under, repress, restrain, restrict, suppress, withhold

   Antonyms:
   aid, animate, arouse, emancipate, encourage, excite, free, impel, incite, let loose, release, set free

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. check, turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold backverb

   hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of

   "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism"

   Synonyms:
   ensure, hold on, hold in, bar, collar, jibe, incorporate, tick off, control, carry, fit, gibe, run off, hold, moderate, cop, learn, checker, barricade, check out, mark off, retain, stop, pick up, condition, double back, assure, finish, tally, comprise, reverse, return, suss out, kibosh, check off, check over, stop over, match, check up on, cease, look into, ascertain, mark, insure, regress, forbear, go over, check, train, arrest, lay off, retrovert, quit, chase away, hold off, take, conceal, halt, block, catch, find out, see, discipline, terminate, wait, drive off, get, give up, nail, backtrack, intercept, revert, correspond, curb, restrain, keep, drive away, keep back, check into, blockade, contain, invert, bear, determine, nab, dispel, retard, crack, turn back, watch, block off, break off, see to it, break, discontinue, end, block up, tick, chequer, drive out, apprehend, agree, delay

2. restrain, keep, keep back, hold backverb

   keep under control; keep in check

   "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool"

   Synonyms:
   intimidate, retain, hold off, throttle, restrict, hold on, continue, withhold, save, stay fresh, trammel, go along, wait, hold in, stop, encumber, turn back, celebrate, hold open, keep, proceed, cumber, observe, forbear, go on, constrain, hold, conceal, confine, preserve, prevent, arrest, restrain, bound, keep open, keep on, maintain, limit, contain, keep back, sustain, check

3. forbear, hold backverb

   refrain from doing

   "she forbore a snicker"

   Synonyms:
   hold in, keep, restrain, hold off, hold, check, conceal, retain, contain, keep back, forbear, wait, stop, arrest, refrain, turn back

4. wait, hold off, hold backverb

   wait before acting

   "the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment"

   Synonyms:
   await, waitress, hold in, keep, restrain, hold off, hold, look, check, conceal, retain, contain, keep back, forbear, wait, stop, expect, arrest, turn back

5. retain, hold, keep back, hold backverb

   secure and keep for possible future use or application

   "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"

   Synonyms:
   accommodate, wait, book, retain, withhold, moderate, view as, support, apply, harbour, defend, take hold, bind, deem, hold up, continue, hold off, take, have, concord, check, make, admit, go for, take for, throw, defy, control, turn back, harbor, keep, obligate, carry, give, adjudge, entertain, forbear, nurse, oblige, curb, hold, conceal, confine, have got, arrest, restrain, withstand, agree, hold in, halt, contain, keep on, concur, maintain, guard, keep back, sustain, prevail, reserve, obtain, declare, stop, bear

6. conceal, hold back, hold inverb

   hold back; keep from being perceived by others

   "She conceals her anger well"

   Synonyms:
   arrest, keep, restrain, confine, hold off, moderate, hold in, hold, check, conceal, retain, contain, keep back, forbear, enclose, wait, stop, hide, curb, control, turn back

Matched Categories

1. • Act
   • Defend
   • Keep
   • Refrain

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. hold back

   Synonyms:
   check, restrain, impede, curb, retard

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How to use hold back in a sentence?

1. Jerry Meral:

   At present these dams cannot hold back flood waters long enough to put them to productive use, by repairing them storage would be increased and water supplies augmented.

2. Meb Keflezighi:

   I'd like to be running here but I have to hold back for Rio.

3. Maura Healey:

   It absolutely has an impact on the campaign, in fundraising and folks who are willing to make commitments one way or the other. And I think that does hold back candidates from starting to build any sense of momentum, it's one of many variables in a really crazy time to be running for office.

4. Enrico Caruso:

   I know that I shall sing only a certain number of times. So I think to myself, Tonight I will hold back my voice. I will save it a little and that will mean I may be able to sing a few more times. But when I go before the audience, when I hear the music and begin to sing, I cannot hold back. I give the best there is in me - I give all.

5. Jon Huntsman:

   The View ' took the stronger part of me to hold back, the stronger part to try to be gracious.