held back
Not let go
Held back describes something restrained or prevented from moving forward.
A student held back repeats a grade rather than advancing.
Emotions held back are suppressed: She held back tears during the ceremony.
Someone held back from a promotion was passed over.
To feel held back is to sense that something—fear, circumstances, another person—is limiting your progress.
Held back from expression
- suppressedForcibly held down
- restrainedHeld under control
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- guardedWary and restrained
hesitant · tentative · constrained · stifled · bottled up · checked · controlled · curbed
Secured or destined
shackled · handcuffed · manacled · confined · restricted · immobilized · secured · pinned
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- guardedWary and restrained
withdrawn · undemonstrative · private · discreet · distant · detached · cool · standoffish
Moved to a later date
- deferredSet aside until later
- stalledStopped unexpectedly
- detainedHeld against one's will
- impededObstructed or slowed
slowed · hindered · obstructed · retarded · suspended · interrupted · put off · blocked
Obstructed or slowed
- obstructedBlocked from proceeding
- thwartedPrevented from succeeding
- blockedPassage prevented or impeded
- hamperedObstructed or restricted
stymied · frustrated · disadvantaged · undermined · sabotaged · discouraged · deterred · limited
repressed
Held back from expression
- suppressedForcibly held down
- restrainedHeld under control
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
guarded · hesitant · tentative · constrained · stifled · bottled up · checked · controlled · curbed · subdued
bound
Secured or destined
chained · shackled · handcuffed · manacled · confined · restricted · immobilized · secured · pinned · tied up
aloof
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
guarded · withdrawn · undemonstrative · private · discreet · distant · detached · cool · standoffish · remote
postponed
Moved to a later date
impeded · slowed · hindered · obstructed · retarded · suspended · interrupted · put off · blocked · halted
impeded
Obstructed or slowed
- obstructedBlocked from proceeding
- thwartedPrevented from succeeding
- blockedPassage prevented or impeded
hampered · stymied · frustrated · disadvantaged · undermined · sabotaged · discouraged · deterred · limited · curtailed
- academic failurefailing grade, failed test, F grade, flunk, flunking
- school grade placementstudent placement, grade level, placement test
- School Outcomesgraduation, diploma, degree, dropout, failing grade
- kept at bayrepelled, fended off, warded off, staved off, kept away
- restrainedrestrained, reserved, subdued, controlled, muted
- unexpressedunspoken, unstated, unuttered, suppressed, implicit
held backlet out
Free or emit
expressed · vented · unleashed · released · poured out
held backpushed forward
Moved something ahead
advanced · propelled · accelerated · promoted · encouraged
hold, back, held, holder, holding, hold back, holds, withholding, withheld