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.
"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
But the brewing storm over the reversal and the halftime show caused him to hold back.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
He doesn’t think the U.S. would deliberately hold back materials from an ally, he added, but if supplies run low, Americans would likely focus on their own needs first.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
"I don't know what we're going to do," his mother Arwen said, struggling to hold back tears.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
“Something is wrong with me,” I said, trying to hold back my tears.
From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez
