Looking for synonyms for to hold back? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say to hold back.
- To restrain
- To inhibit
- To suppress
- To curb
- To contain
- To withhold
- To reserve
- To control
- To repress
- To constrain
- To check
- To limit
- To retard
- To impede
- To hinder
- To restrict
- To keep back
- To bridle
- To stifle
- To balk
Want to learn how to say to hold back professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. To restrain
Appropriate for physically or emotionally holding someone or something back from action.
Example: “The security team had to restrain the intruder until the police arrived.”
2. To inhibit
Used when preventing an action or process from happening or continuing.
Example: “The new regulations may inhibit our ability to launch the product on time.”
3. To suppress
Suitable for stopping something by force or keeping it from being known.
Example: “The company tried to suppress the news about the data breach.”
4. To curb
Appropriate for controlling or limiting something that is harmful.
Example: “The government introduced new measures to curb inflation.”
5. To contain
Used when keeping something harmful under control or within limits.
Example: “The firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the forest fire.”
6. To withhold
Suitable for refusing to give something that is due or expected.
Example: “The employer decided to withhold the bonus payments until the end of the fiscal year.”
7. To reserve
Appropriate for keeping something back or saving it for a specific future use.
Example: “The author reserves the right to publish her works as she sees fit.”
8. To control
Used when directing the behavior or course of something.
Example: “The project manager must control the project’s scope to prevent delays.”
9. To repress
Suitable for subduing someone or something by force.
Example: “The company’s culture tended to repress innovative ideas that challenged the status quo.”
10. To constrain
Appropriate for severely restricting the scope, extent, or activity of something.
Example: “Budget constraints may constrain our marketing efforts this quarter.”
11. To check
Used when stopping or slowing down the progress of something.
Example: “Regular audits are conducted to check for any discrepancies in the accounts.”
12. To limit
Suitable for setting a maximum level for something to occur.
Example: “The team decided to limit the number of attendees for the workshop to ensure quality interaction.”
13. To retard
Appropriate for delaying or slowing the development or progress of something.
Example: “Lack of investment could retard the growth of the company.”
14. To impede
Used when slowing the movement, progress, or action of someone or something.
Example: “Unexpected legal challenges could impede the merger process.”
15. To hinder
Suitable for making it difficult for something to occur or for someone to do something.
Example: “The lack of clear communication hindered the team’s ability to meet the deadline.”
16. To restrict
Appropriate for putting a limit on something to reduce its size or prevent it from increasing.
Example: “The new policy restricts the use of company resources for personal projects.”
17. To keep back
Used when not moving forward or disclosing something.
Example: “The witness decided to keep back crucial information during the investigation.”
18. To bridle
Suitable for bringing something under control with restraint.
Example: “The manager had to bridle his frustration in the face of repeated delays.”
19. To stifle
Appropriate for quelling, crushing, or ending by force.
Example: “Innovative companies should not stifle creativity with overly rigid policies.”
20. To balk
Used when refusing to proceed or to do something.
Example: “The board balked at the proposal due to its high risks.”
