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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stifled

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

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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 held back Some are held back by the barriers that are typically associated with starting to sell in a new place, like learning new customs and speaking the language. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 Yamamoto was held back for this game while Skubal started the opener, but Yamamoto shouldn’t take a back seat to anyone anymore this postseason. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 When the Braves announced that superstar starter Chris Sale would be held back for game three, the widespread expectation was that the Dodgers had a tremendous advantage for game two. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 In this respect, BIFF is also riding a positive trend as local cinema began to revive at the beginning of this year, following a long period of declining box office and audience apathy that held back post-pandemic recovery. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 He was held back by something else, a feeling that some awful truth about his familiar, beloved world was now being revealed to him. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 Baker opened the door, in leggings and a tank top, her hair held back with sunglasses. — CNN Money, 1 Oct. 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

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

Over two games in Tampa, the Rays had embarrassed the Yankees – nearly no hitting them in Game 1 and putting the ball in play and watching the errors ensue in Game 2.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Philadelphia embarrassed itself in a non-competitive loss at Chicago on Monday night, unable to go drive-for-drive with journeyman quarterback Case Keenum, a 38-year-old backup’s backup.

— Andy Behrens, New York Times, 2 Oct. 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