Definitions

hold in

VERB

bottle up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

repress suppress

WEAK

box up bring to naught check collar contain coop up cork corner cover up cramp curb enclose entrap hold back hold down keep back keep feeling inside oneself keep secret restrain restrict shut in trap

Antonyms

STRONGEST

let go

WEAK

confide reveal tell

VERB

check

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrest control curb halt prevent reduce stop

STRONG

baffle bar bit bottleneck bridle checkmate choke circumvent constrain counteract delay discourage foil frustrate harness hold impede inhibit interrupt limit moderate neutralize obstruct obviate pause preclude rebuff repress repulse retard snub squelch stay suppress tame terminate thwart withhold

WEAK

cut short hold back hold down keep back nip in the bud play for time rein in slacken pace slow down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid allow assist continue encourage help let go

STRONG

abet advance approve facilitate forward free permit release

WEAK

expedite indulge liberate

VERB

compose

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrange collect contain

STRONG

adjust allay appease assuage becalm check comfort console control cool ease lessen lull mitigate moderate modulate pacify placate quell quiet reconcile regulate rein relax repress resolve restrain settle slacken smother soften solace soothe still suppress temper tranquilize

WEAK

balm ease up let up re-collect simmer down tune down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disperse scatter

STRONG

aggravate agitate allow annoy confuse disorganize distress disturb excite free hurt incite increase intensify irritate let go liberate move permit provoke release trouble upset vex worry worsen

WEAK

anger arouse destroy disarrange ruin

VERB

constrain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bind constrict curb hold down inhibit necessitate stifle

STRONG

ban bar bridle chain check coerce compel concuss confine cork deny deprive disallow drive hog-tie immure impel imprison incarcerate intern jail make oblige pressure pressurize urge withhold

WEAK

bottle up cool off hem in hold back keep lid on put half nelson on shotgun

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid allow assist encourage free help loosen release

STRONG

delay discourage dissuade halt indulge leave alone let go liberate permit repress stop

VERB

contain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collect cool curb stop

STRONG

check compose cork harness hog-tie rein repress restrain restrict smother stifle

WEAK

bottle up keep back keep lid on put half nelson on simmer down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue encourage

STRONG

allow free help let go liberate permit release

WEAK

exclude

VERB

curb

Synonyms

STRONGEST

constrain contain control hamper hinder impede inhibit restrain suppress tame

STRONG

abstain bit bridle check deny fetter hobble hog-tie hold down ice leash manacle moderate muzzle refrain retard scrub shackle subdue tie withhold

WEAK

bottle up box in bring to screeching halt cool down cool off entrammel hold back keep lid on keep tight rein on rein in send up tie up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward free help let go permit promote release

STRONG

go ahead incite indulge liberate loose loosen

WEAK

foster

VERB

dam

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clog

STRONG

bar barricade brake check choke close confine hinder impede obstruct repress restrain restrict retard slow suppress

WEAK

stop up

Antonyms

STRONG

advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward free help let go liberate open permit promote push release support

WEAK

unblock unclog unloose

VERB

hold back

Synonyms

WEAK

bit bridle check control curb defer delay deny forbear hold down hold off inhibit keep keep back keep out postpone prevent put off refrain refuse restrain stop suppress withhold

VERB

hold back/hold off

Synonyms

WEAK

bit bridle check control curb defer delay deny forbear hold down inhibit keep keep back keep out postpone prevent put off refrain refuse restrain stop suppress withhold

Antonyms

WEAK

let go reveal

VERB

inhibit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

constrain curb discourage forbid hinder impede obstruct outlaw prohibit restrain stymie suppress

STRONG

arrest avert bar bit bridle check cramp enjoin faze frustrate hog-tie interdict repress sandbag stop taboo ward withhold

WEAK

hang up hold back hold down keep in put on brakes

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward free help let go permit promote push release support

WEAK

approve

VERB

suppress

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abolish censor conceal contain cover up crack down on crush curb cut off muzzle overcome overthrow put an end to put down quash quell quench repress silence snuff out stamp out stifle subdue withhold

STRONG

annihilate bottle burke check clamp conquer extinguish interrupt muffle overpower shush smother spike squash stop trample

WEAK

beat down bring to naught hold back hold down keep in keep secret put kibosh on put lid on sit on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid allow assist build up compliment encourage give in help let go permit praise release sanction start support surrender yield

STRONG

light open

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.

In the late ’60s, the media portrayed Solanas as just another radical member of the divisive second-wave feminist movement taking hold in America.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

When Covid-19 took hold in 2020, the Fed rapidly slashed its benchmark rate to zero and rolled out new support measures, moves that helped to prevent a more severe economic downturn.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

That’s because this event is reminiscent of “the blob” — a massive marine heat wave that took hold in the Pacific Ocean off the West Coast of California from roughly 2014 to 2016.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Analysts at Morgan Stanley estimate that around 13 million barrels of daily oil production is on hold in the Middle East and 2.7 million barrels of refining capacity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

It was small enough to hold in my hand.

From "Harbor Me" by Jacqueline Woodson

hold in

Example Sentences

Related Words