Synonyms of hold back

Verb

1. check, turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold back, defend

usage: hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of; "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism"

2. restrain, keep, keep back, hold back, inhibit, bottle up, suppress

usage: keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool"

3. forbear, hold back, refrain, forbear

usage: refrain from doing; "she forbore a snicker"

4. wait, hold off, hold back, act, move

usage: wait before acting; "the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment"

5. retain, hold, keep back, hold back, keep, hold on

usage: secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"

6. conceal, hold back, hold in

usage: hold back; keep from being perceived by others; "She conceals her anger well"