1
[ verb ] hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of

Synonyms

stop arrest turn_back contain check

Examples

"Arrest the downward trend" "Check the growth of communism in SE Asia" "Contain the rebel movement" "Turn back the tide of communism"

Related terms

defend cut_down containment

2
[ verb ] keep under control; keep in check

Synonyms

restrain keep suppress keep_back

Examples

"suppress a smile" "Keep your temper" "keep your cool"

Related terms

prevent control hold confine bottle_up quench suppression

3
[ verb ] wait before acting

Synonyms

wait hold_off

Related terms

act delay hold_out delay

4
[ verb ] secure and keep for possible future use or application

Synonyms

hold retain keep_back

Examples

"The landlord retained the security deposit" "I reserve the right to disagree"

Related terms

keep hold_down reserve retention

5
[ verb ] hold back; keep from being perceived by others, as of emotions or expressions of emotions

Synonyms

conceal hold_in

Examples

"She conceals her anger well"

Related terms

occult concealment

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Similar Spelling

hold_up

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