holds back

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repress v.
repress v.

VERB

repress

Synonyms

WEAK

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

Antonyms

WEAK

let go reveal

VERB

repress

Synonyms

WEAK

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

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.

See Examples For:

holds back

Herd of bison holds back a massive fire in Madrid.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

Advocates say DEI counters implicit bias that holds back historically disadvantaged groups, helps companies relate to their customers and unlocks hidden talent.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

McNamara acknowledged that a stigma of modular as low quality holds back an embrace of the model.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2025

The prime minister will promise to scrap regulation that "needlessly holds back investment" in the UK when he hosts a major summit in London.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2024

But to her credit, she holds back and instead says, “I’m so sorry. This seems so unfair, La. You have to deal with all that pressure from your grandmother.”

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

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