| / English Dictionary |
KEEP BACK
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Prevent the action or expression of
Example:
she struggled to restrain her impatience at the delays
Synonyms:
hold back; keep; keep back; restrain
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "keep back"):
hold (keep from exhaling or expelling)
blink; blink away; wink (keep back by blinking)
harness; rein; rule (keep in check)
baffle; regulate (restrain the emission of (sound, fluid, etc.))
swallow (keep from expressing)
confine (prevent from leaving or from being removed)
check; contain; control; curb; hold; hold in; moderate (lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
Sense 2
Meaning:
Hold back; refuse to hand over or share
Example:
The father is withholding the allowance until the son cleans his room
Synonyms:
keep back; withhold
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Hypernyms (to "keep back" is one way to...):
deny; refuse (refuse to let have)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "keep back"):
block; freeze; immobilise; immobilize (prohibit the conversion or use of (assets))
keep to oneself (withhold information)
deny (refuse to grant, as of a petition or request)
reserve (hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency)
immobilise; immobilize (hold as reserve or withdraw from circulation; of capital)
deprive (keep from having, keeping, or obtaining)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something from somebody
Sense 3
Meaning:
Secure and keep for possible future use or application
Example:
I reserve the right to disagree
Synonyms:
hold; hold back; keep back; retain
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Hypernyms (to "keep back" is one way to...):
hold on; keep (retain possession of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "keep back"):
hold down (keep)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
They keep back the money
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