WordWeb Online

1. Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
   "hold back the growth of communism in South East Asia";
   - check, turn back, arrest, stop, contain
    
2. Remain under control
   "hold back your temper";
   - restrain, keep, keep back
    
3. Refrain from doing
   "she held back a snicker";
   - forbear
    
4. Delay acting
   "the scientists held back announcing their results until they repeated the experiment";
   - wait, hold off
    
5. Secure and keep for possible future use or application
   "The landlord held back the security deposit";
   - retain, hold, keep back
    
6. Hold back; keep from being perceived by others
   "She holds back her anger well";
   - conceal, hold in, disguise

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