hold back
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.
New dams and debris basins turned the vast natural waterways and springs and creeks of old L.A. into a chutes-and-ladders system to divert and hold back water and mud, before the next time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
The estimable podcaster Dwarkesh Patel tweeted last week that “any global agreement to hold back a technology with enormous near-term economic and military benefits will be extremely fragile.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
"He was broken and he was just crying," she said, struggling to hold back her own tears, recalling their first phone call after his arrest.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
As the women sing along some struggle to hold back tears.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
“It doesn’t. Sorry. Brer Fox says I should try and hold back all my questions. Says they make everyone angry.”
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
