“To hold back” in Japanese
Short answer
To hold back in Japanese is “制する” (seisuru). Full meaning: to hold back (e.g. emotions), to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people), to bridle; to get the better of; to control, to command.
Other ways to say “To hold back” in Japanese
食い止める
kuitomeru to check, to hold back, to keep at bay, to stop, to prevent, to stem, to curb, to halt
せき止める
sekitomeru to dam up, to hold back, to keep back, to bring to a halt, to intercept; to stem (an activity), to check (e.g. progress)
抑える
osaeru to keep within limits (e.g. spending), to restrain (e.g. emotions), to control, to curb, to hold in check; to hold back (e.g. an enemy), to check, to curb, to contain, to quell, to subdue, to suppress, to repress
せいし
seishi to hold back (e.g. emotions), to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people), to bridle; to get the better of; to control, to command
せいする
seisuru to hold back (e.g. emotions), to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people), to bridle; to get the better of; to control, to command
せいす
seisu to hold back (e.g. emotions), to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people), to bridle; to get the better of; to control, to command
せいしよう
seishiyoo to hold back (e.g. emotions), to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people), to bridle; to get the better of; to control, to command
制す
seisu to hold back (e.g. emotions), to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people), to bridle; to get the better of; to control, to command
控える
hikaeru to be temperate in, to refrain, to abstain, to hold back, to restrain oneself from excessive ...; to make notes, to jot down (e.g. phone number); to be in preparation for, to be in waiting for
禁ずる
kinzuru to forbid, to ban, to prohibit; to suppress (a feeling, laughter, etc.), to hold back (e.g. tears)
食止める
kuitomeru to check, to hold back, to keep at bay, to stop, to prevent, to stem, to curb, to halt
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