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.

The main risk isn’t so much its direct exposure to precious-metals prices, but how sharply lower gold or silver prices might limit sentiment toward the asset class and hold back transaction volumes, affecting earnings.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Though the girls did not hold back, the irony was that almost all of them said their behaviour was different than when boys are around.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Really, we’re just watching McKellen give a bravura, scene-gobbling performance that doesn’t hold back one iota.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Worries about the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market are another reason for workers to hold back on higher pay demands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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