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held back

VERB

repress

Synonyms

WEAK

bit bridle check control curb defer delay deny forbear hold down hold in inhibit keep keep back keep out postpone prevent put off refrain refuse restrain stop suppress withhold

Antonyms

WEAK

let go reveal

VERB

repress

Synonyms

WEAK

bit bridle check control curb defer delay deny forbear hold down hold in hold off inhibit keep keep back keep out postpone prevent put off refrain refuse restrain stop suppress withhold

held-back

ADJECTIVE

pent-up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

repressed stifled suppressed

WEAK

bottled-up bridled checked constrained curbed held in check inhibited restrained restricted smothered

Antonyms

WEAK

public released

ADJECTIVE

restricted

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barred blocked closed confined controlled defined deprived prescribed reduced restrained secured shortened tethered

STRONG

bound bounded bridled chained checked clogged cramped curbed decreased deterred diminished encircled fastened fettered foiled frustrated governed hampered hitched impeded inhibited manacled moderated modified narrowed obstructed prevented repressed stayed stopped suppressed surrounded tempered

WEAK

reined in small

Antonyms

STRONG

free unbounded

ADJECTIVE

retained

Synonyms

STRONGEST

maintained received saved

STRONG

confined contained detained had held included owned possessed remembered reserved restrained secured sustained treasured withheld

Antonyms

STRONG

extroverted lost outgoing

WEAK

disengaged let go refused unemployed wasted

ADJECTIVE

silenced

Synonyms

STRONG

calmed censored gagged muted repressed restrained restricted stilled subdued suppressed

WEAK

held down

ADJECTIVE

smothered

Synonyms

STRONGEST

checked constrained stifled

STRONG

bridled curbed repressed

ADJECTIVE

withheld

Synonyms

STRONG

hidden restrained

WEAK

confidential secret

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I cannot make the straight-faced argument that the worst “Scary Movies” were held back by their source material.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

His death from leukaemia when she was just 13 had a profound effect on King, who also saw her mother held back by their circumstances.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Another missed holding penalty after Luke O'Nien held back Pascal Struijk in the 16th minute, placing an arm around the Leeds player's neck.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

It held back on striking Beirut due to pressure from the U.S., which is concerned such attacks could endanger its fragile cease-fire with Iran, until Thursday when the military said it conducted targeted strikes there.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

I had three sons and two daughters, a houseful indeed, and none of them exactly held back.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

held back

Example Sentences

Related Words