HELD BACK Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

held back

verb

past tense of hold back

as in hampered

to create difficulty for the work or activity of the only thing holding them back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation

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as in stifled

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

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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 held back Baker opened the door, in leggings and a tank top, her hair held back with sunglasses. — CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Lapcevich tried to confront Heim after the race but was held back by Bryant, who instead brought six team members to do so violently. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 The Meta Ray-Ban Display's color waveguide still feels like an important evolution in the category, even if it's held back by limited features and questionable design decisions. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026 He’s held back on approving a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026 Even from her wrought-iron balcony, analysts say, Fernández has held back potential successors to pursue her own comeback. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 If a third of that pool has smoothed over an age, downplayed a caregiving responsibility or held back an honest opinion online, that manager is working from an edited pool without knowing it. — Houman Akhavan, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026 Paramount voluntarily agreed not to close the deal until after a trial is held back in July. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Sep. 2026 Yet among those students, 51% had still held back at least once. — Liam Julian, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for held back

Verb

And that is part of what has hampered us from doing anything.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026
As ongoing offensive line struggles and continued pass coverage breakdowns hampered efforts, Washington faced dim prospects entering Week 3’s showdown with the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

— Mike Jones, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of hampered

Verb

While Odebunmi was producing for Cleveland, the Cavaliers largely stifled Birmingham’s top offensive threat, wide receiver Paul Turner.

— Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
The Falcons dominated the second half with their offense, and the defense stifled the Packers and quarterback Jordan Love.

— Rod Beard, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of stifled

Verb

Wright admitted his confidence was shaken last season when a knee injury hindered his development, and limited his opportunities early.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Last season as a rookie, Ferguson was hindered early in the schedule because of a hamstring injury suffered during training camp.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of hindered

Verb

Some of the footage was played during a dayslong suppression hearing last December, when the defense argued evidence recovered during the arrest should be suppressed because Mangione’s backpack was improperly searched.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
The video included much of what was played during a three-week evidentiary hearing when defense attorneys argued the evidence should be suppressed.

— Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppressed

Verb

The ongoing conflict that has driven people from their homes in Iran as well as an internet shutdown and a lack of full cooperation from the two governments partially impeded the team's efforts to get information.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
The ongoing conflict that has driven people from their homes in Iran as well as an internet shutdown and a lack of full cooperation from the two governments partially impeded the team’s efforts to get information.

— Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of impeded

Verb

All must be corrected or the Dolphins could be embarrassed by the Chiefs.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Yeah, the Cardinals — led by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ former offensive coordinator — embarrassed the Bolts at home.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of embarrassed

Verb

The construction of Terminal B also partially obstructed controllers’ views of two taxiways.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Plaintiffs' critical role to root out governmental fraud, finance waste, and abuse is obstructed by Defendant's interference with OIG's investigatory performance.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of obstructed

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“Held back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/held%20back. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of held back

verb

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