Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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.

New research from the University of California, Riverside suggests that eating more protein could help limit the infection's ability to take hold in the body.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

As for her viral acrobatic performances, those appeared to have been on hold in the year before her death.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

The historic Union Corner, at the junction of Union Street and Gordon Street, was destroyed in the inferno on Sunday night after flames took hold in a vape shop.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

In the weeks before the latest attacks, a certain degree of complacency had taken hold in global oil markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

Like a choreographed dance, vacant pods are being floated from the center of the hold, while metal supply crates take their place in the belly of the hold in preparation for offloading.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera