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. Refrain from doing
   "she held back a snicker";
   - forbear
    
3. Delay acting
   "the scientists held back announcing their results until they repeated the experiment";
   - wait, hold off
    
4. Secure and keep for possible future use or application
   "The landlord held back the security deposit";
   - retain, hold, keep back
    
5. Hold back; keep from being perceived by others
   "She holds back her anger well";
   - conceal, hold in, disguise
    
6. Prevent the action or expression of
   "hold back your anger";
   - restrain, keep, keep back

Derived forms: holding back, held back, holds back

See also: hold on

Type of: act, defend, forbear, hold on, keep, move, refrain