hold back

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.

Italy's World Cup heartbreak was crystallised in the tear-streaked face of coach Rino Gattuso, who struggled to hold back his emotions after the national team's defeat.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Planet Labs PBC, a leading provider of high resolution images taken from space, said Friday it would hold back for 96 hours images of Gulf states targeted by Iranian drone attacks.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

The company’s operating profit guidance for 2026 fell short of analysts’ views, with U.S. tariffs and currency headwinds expected to hold back profit growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Central bankers fear periods of deflation, in which falling prices lead businesses and households to hold back on spending in anticipation of securing better deals in the future.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

It’s so nice not having to hold back when we come to a delicate topic, the way I would with other boys.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank