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.

That leaves the BOJ in a familiar bind: Hike too soon and risk clipping fragile growth, or hold back and risk damaging household confidence, plus U.S. scrutiny if the yen weakens excessively.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The intelligence to be able to hold back and then to make that run to get on the end of it was incredible.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

"They're renowned for building dams that hold back the flow of water," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Planet Labs PBC, a leading provider of high resolution images taken from space, said Friday it would hold back for 96 hours images of Gulf states targeted by Iranian drone attacks.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

It’s so nice not having to hold back when we come to a delicate topic, the way I would with other boys.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank