" held back "

1: to create difficulty for the work or activity of;

  * e.g., " ... the only thing holding them back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation "

•  Synonyms : 

•  clogged,

•  cramped,

•  embarrassed,

•  encumbered,

•  fettered,

•  hampered,

•  handcuffed,

•  handicapped,

•  held up,

•  hindered,

•  hobbled,

•  hog-tied,

•  impeded,

•  inhibited,

•  interfered (with),

•  manacled,

•  obstructed,

•  shackled,

•  short-circuited,

•  stymied,

•  tied up,

•  trammeled

•  Antonyms : 

•  aided,

•  assisted,

•  facilitated,

•  helped

2: to refrain from openly showing or uttering;

  * e.g., " ... held back her tears until she was alone "

•  Synonyms : 

•  choked (back),

•  pocketed,

•  repressed,

•  sank,

•  smothered,

•  stifled,

•  strangled,

•  submerged,

•  suppressed,

•  swallowed

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)

1: to create difficulty for the work or activity of;

  * e.g., " ... the only thing holding them back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation "

•  Synonyms : 

•  clog,

•  cramp,

•  embarrass,

•  encumber,

•  fetter,

•  hamper,

•  handcuff,

•  handicap,

•  hinder,

•  hobble,

•  hog-tie,

•  hold up,

•  impede,

•  inhibit,

•  interfere (with),

•  manacle,

•  obstruct,

•  shackle,

•  short-circuit,

•  stymie,

•  tie up,

•  trammel

•  Antonyms : 

•  aid,

•  assist,

•  facilitate,

•  help

2: to refrain from openly showing or uttering;

  * e.g., " ... held back her tears until she was alone "

•  Synonyms : 

•  choke (back),

•  pocket,

•  repress,

•  sink,

•  smother,

•  stifle,

•  strangle,

•  submerge,

•  suppress,

•  swallow

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)