contain vs hold back

contain and hold back both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
contain	No	No	Yes	No
hold back	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, contain and hold back are synonyms defined as:

contain and hold back: hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of

Other synonyms of contain include arrest, check, stop, turn back.

As verbs, hold back is a hypernym of contain; that is, hold back is a word with a broader meaning than contain:

contain: lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
hold back: prevent the action or expression of

Other hypernyms of contain include keep, keep back, restrain.

contain (verb)	hold back (verb)
hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of	prevent the action or expression of
lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits	hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
include or contain; have as a component	hold back; keep from being perceived by others
be divisible by	secure and keep for possible future use or application
contain or hold; have within	wait before acting
be capable of holding or containing	refrain from doing