Hold back
Hold back verb - To create difficulty for the work or activity of.
Usage example: the only thing holding Joe back from joining the swim team is lack of transportation
Obstruct
Obstruct verb - To create difficulty for the work or activity of.
Usage example: this would go much faster if you would stop obstructing me with your constant interruptions
Hold back is a synonym for obstruct in impede topic. You can use "Hold back" instead a verb "Obstruct", if it concerns topics such as hinder, help, dam. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Obstruct and Hold back. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/hold_back/obstruct
Hold back & Obstruct. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/hold_back/obstruct>.
Obstruct or Hold back. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/hold_back/obstruct.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "hold back" and "obstruct" have occurred on timeline