WordWeb Online

1. Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
   - check, turn back, arrest, stop, contain
    
2. Keep under control; keep in check
   - restrain, keep, keep back
    
3. Refrain from doing
   - forbear
    
4. Wait before acting
   - wait, hold off
    
5. Secure and keep for possible future use or application
   - retain, hold, keep back
    
6. Hold back; keep from being perceived by others
   - conceal, hold in

Derived forms: holds back, holding back, held back

See also: hold

Type of: act, bottle up, defend, forbear, hold on, inhibit, keep, move, refrain, suppress