Looking for synonyms for hold back? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say hold back.
- Restrain
- Suppress
- Inhibit
- Withhold
- Restrain
- Retain
- Curb
- Control
- Conceal
- Stifle
- Repress
- Contain
- Hinder
- Constrain
- Check
Want to learn how to say hold back professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Restrain
Appropriate Use: Suitable for preventing someone or something from doing something, often implying physical or direct action.
Example: The security team had to restrain the crowd to ensure safety at the event.
2. Suppress
Appropriate Use: Ideal for stopping or preventing something, particularly feelings, actions, or expressions.
Example: The company attempted to suppress negative news about its financial performance.
3. Inhibit
Appropriate Use: Best for hindering, restraining, or preventing an action or process.
Example: Excessive bureaucracy can inhibit innovation in large organizations.
4. Withhold
Appropriate Use: Suitable for deliberately not providing something, such as information or permission.
Example: The manager decided to withhold approval until the project plan was more detailed.
5. Restrain
Appropriate Use: Ideal for holding back or controlling actions, feelings, or emotions.
Example: The mediator had to restrain his frustration to remain neutral during the negotiations.
6. Retain
Appropriate Use: Best for keeping or continuing to have something, particularly holding back from giving.
Example: The company decided to retain a percentage of profits for future investments.
7. Curb
Appropriate Use: Suitable for controlling or limiting something, often something negative.
Example: The new regulations aim to curb environmental pollution from industrial activities.
8. Control
Appropriate Use: Ideal for exercising restraint or direction over something.
Example: The manager must control spending to keep the budget on track.
9. Conceal
Appropriate Use: Best for keeping something hidden or secret.
Example: The organization tried to conceal the extent of the data breach from the public.
10. Stifle
Appropriate Use: Suitable for restraining or stopping something from happening.
Example: The company culture should not stifle creativity and independent thinking.
11. Repress
Appropriate Use: Ideal for suppressing thoughts, feelings, or desires, often unconsciously.
Example: The leader had to repress his initial disappointment to encourage the team.
12. Contain
Appropriate Use: Best for keeping something under control or within limits.
Example: The firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the wildfire.
13. Hinder
Appropriate Use: Suitable for creating difficulties, resulting in delay or obstruction.
Example: Lack of funding could hinder the progress of the research project.
14. Constrain
Appropriate Use: Ideal for severely restricting or limiting.
Example: The tight budget constraints limited the scope of the marketing campaign.
15. Check
Appropriate Use: Best for stopping or slowing down the progress of something.
Example: Internal audits are conducted regularly to check compliance with regulations.
