hold back synonyms

hold back

v.

  1. To restrain

    inhibit, control, curb; see check 2, prevent, restrain 1.

  2. To refrain

    desist, hesitate, forbear; see abstain, avoid.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.