Definitions for hold back

Definitions for (verb) hold back

Main entry: contain, hold back, arrest, check, stop, turn back

Definition: hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of

Usage: Arrest the downward trend; Check the growth of communism in South East Asia; Contain the rebel movement; Turn back the tide of communism


Main entry: hold back, hold in, conceal

Definition: hold back; keep from being perceived by others

Usage: She conceals her anger well


Main entry: keep back, hold, hold back, retain

Definition: secure and keep for possible future use or application

Usage: The landlord retained the security deposit; I reserve the right to disagree


Main entry: keep, keep back, restrain, hold back

Definition: keep under control; keep in check

Usage: suppress a smile; Keep your temper; keep your cool


Main entry: hold back, hold off, wait

Definition: wait before acting

Usage: the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment


Main entry: forbear, hold back

Definition: refrain from doing

Usage: she forbore a snicker


Visual thesaurus for hold back