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hold in

verb

To keep something to oneself; to prevent from escaping.

“to hold in laughter, or one's emotions”

Similar

enclose confine control hold contain check curb moderate

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Meanings

verbhold in (third-person singular simple present holds in, present participle holding in, simple past and past participle held in)

present singular third person holds in · participle present holding in · participle past held in · past held in

transitiveTo keep something to oneself; to prevent from escaping.
to hold in laughter, or one's emotions
1 more example
When the world is a monster bad to swallow you whole, kick the clay that holds those teeth in, throw your trolls out the door.
1985 June 10, R.E.M., “Can’t Get There From Here”, in Fables of the Reconstruction
datedintransitiveTo restrain oneself.
He wanted to laugh and could hardly hold in.
transitiveTo keep (someone) in prison or jail.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbclose in

Similar

enclose confine

Broader

hold bear carry

verblessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits

Similar

control hold contain check curb moderate

Broader

restrain keep keep back

verbhold back; keep from being perceived by others

Similar

conceal hold back

Broader

keep maintain hold

Also see

check conceal confine contain control curb enclose hold hold back moderate

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry

APA

hold in. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hold%20in

MLA

“hold in.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hold%20in. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hold in,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hold%20in.

Source: hold in on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.