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held back





held-back




ADJECTIVE
smothered
Synonyms


ADJECTIVE
withheld
Synonyms


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.

See Examples For:

Bank of Canada Gov. Tiff Macklem has noted inflation is currently being held back by continued slack in Canada’s economy, which is growing again after having contracted for two consecutive quarters.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 20, 2026

Until now, attempts to produce it had been held back by difficulties in developing the right materials.

From Science Daily Jul. 11, 2026

The major indexes are being held back by the artist formerly known as the “Magnificent Seven.”

From Barron's Jun. 29, 2026

And when that happens, the stocks being held back by rate anxiety today could lead the next leg higher.

From MarketWatch Jun. 29, 2026

Ugwu held back from reaching out to touch the cement wall, to see how different it would feel from the mud walls of his mother’s hut that still bore the faint patterns of molding fingers.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The held-back funds are tied to programs that, in some cases, have received these dollars for decades.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 14, 2025

Although the held-back funds make up less than 1% of California’s education budget, they have an outsize cumulative effect.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 14, 2025

In one moment, a student may sing a solo that lights up the room like a supernova only for them to later sing it through a clenched throat and held-back tears.

From Seattle Times Sep. 20, 2022

Each jurisdiction must appoint two full-time commissioners and submit applications laying out the commission’s safety and investigative credentials and establishing its independence from Metro before the held-back money can be released, FTA officials say.

From Washington Post Jul. 23, 2017

I hurry down the block while my held-back torrent of tears splashes down my face.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed




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