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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.

Now Nvidia is shifting its reporting, starting with the latest quarter, to meet a new narrative that has held back the stock: As goes Big Tech, so goes Nvidia.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

The 72-year-old actor, who was at the film festival for the premiere of Propeller One-Way Night Coach, which he directed, held back tears when presented with the prize saying: "This is beyond the Oscar".

From BBC • May 15, 2026

A 2025 Nature Reviews Materials review described direct seawater electrolysis as promising but still held back by corrosion, side reactions, metal precipitates, and limited lifetime.

From Science Daily • May 10, 2026

Redick held back tears when general manager Rob Pelinka presented him with the game ball in the locker room on March 31 and showed a video of Redick’s sons, Knox and Kai, congratulating their dad.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

But Luke didn’t want to be held back.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss




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