'hold back' definitions:
Definition of 'hold back'
From: WordNet
verb
Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of; "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism" [syn: check, turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold back]
verb
Keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool" [syn: restrain, keep, keep back, hold back]
verb
Refrain from doing; "she forbore a snicker" [syn: forbear, hold back]
verb
Wait before acting; "the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment" [syn: wait, hold off, hold back]
verb
Secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree" [syn: retain, hold, keep back, hold back]
verb
Synonyms of 'hold back'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abstain,
- abstain from,
- arrest,
- avoid,
- avoid excess,
- backpedal,
- backwater,
- begrudge,
- bit,
- block,
- bottle up,
- brake,
- bridle,
- check,
- clip the wings,
- close the hand,
- confine,
- conserve,
- constrain,
- contain,
- control,
- cool,
- cool off,
- countercheck,
- curb,
- curtail,
- dam up,
- damp,
- dampen,
- decelerate,
- delay,
- deny,
- detain,
- dispense with,
- do without,
- dompt,
- drag,
- draw rein,
- ease off,
- ease up,
- eat sparingly,
- eat to live,
- enjoin,
- eschew,
- exercise self-control,
- forbear,
- forgo,
- govern,
- grudge,
- guard,
- hinder,
- hold,
- hold aloof from,
- hold at bay,
- hold down,
- hold fast,
- hold in,
- hold in check,
- hold in leash,
- hold off,
- hold out on,
- hold up,
- husband,
- impede,
- inhibit,
- intercept,
- interfere,
- intermeddle,
- interrupt,
- intervene,
- keep,
- keep back,
- keep by one,
- keep from,
- keep in,
- keep in check,
- keep in hand,
- keep in reserve,
- keep in store,
- keep on hand,
- keep out,
- keep under control,
- keep within bounds,
- keep within compass,
- keep within limits,
- lag,
- lay by,
- lay under restraint,
- let alone,
- let down,
- let go by,
- let up,
- live plainly,
- lose ground,
- lose momentum,
- lose speed,
- make late,
- meddle,
- moderate,
- mortify the flesh,
- never touch,
- not touch,
- not use,
- obstruct,
- oppose,
- pass up,
- preserve,
- prohibit,
- pull,
- pull in,
- put apart,
- put aside,
- put by,
- reef,
- refrain,
- refrain from,
- rein,
- rein in,
- relax,
- repress,
- reserve,
- resist,
- restrain,
- retain,
- retard,
- retrench,
- save,
- save up,
- scotch,
- set apart,
- set aside,
- set back,
- set by,
- shun,
- slack off,
- slack up,
- slacken,
- slow,
- slow down,
- slow up,
- snub,
- spare,
- stand aloof from,
- stay,
- stop,
- straiten,
- suppress,
- take in sail,
- throttle down,
- waive,
- withhold