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.

Traditionally, logs made of coir - coconut husk - have been imported from South-East Asia to reduce erosion, hold back water and also re-wet degraded peatland.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

We asked our staffers for their dreamiest expectations and they didn’t hold back: space epics, Matt Damon in a helmet and, yes, a “Jackass” movie.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

MarketWatch: Investors once again are faced with a decision to either chase the stock-market rally or hold back.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Ice shelves act as barriers that hold back Antarctica's inland glaciers and ice sheets.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

Perhaps her presence made the NSA hold back from examining the collection that day.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield