Synonyms: 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
Similar words: defend
Definition: be on the defensive; act against an attack
Synonyms: 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
Definition: retain possession of
Usage: Can I keep my old stuffed animals?; She kept her maiden name after she married
Synonyms: keep, keep back, restrain, hold back
Definition: keep under control; keep in check
Usage: suppress a smile; Keep your temper; keep your cool
Similar words: inhibit, suppress, bottle up
Definition: control and refrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior
Synonyms: hold back, hold off, wait
Definition: wait before acting
Usage: the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment
Definition: perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
Usage: think before you act; We must move quickly; The governor should act on the new energy bill; The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
Definition: refrain from doing
Usage: she forbore a snicker
Similar words: forbear, refrain
Definition: resist doing something
Usage: He refrained from hitting him back; she could not forbear weeping