Keeping back is an expression commonly used to describe the act of holding something back, limiting its flow or preventing its release. Some synonyms for keeping back include withholding and suppressing. Withholding usually denotes the idea of holding something back that is expected or required, whereas suppressing implies the idea of forcibly restricting something. Other alternatives to keeping back could include restraining, hindering, or curbing. These words imply an active effort to limit or control something. Regardless of the term used, the underlying meaning remains consistent - an action taken to hold something back, or obstruct its flow in some way.