"was held back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a delay or obstruction of progress. For example, "The construction project was held back by the lack of resources."
It was held back from release.
Pan and Chen explored various reasons that might explain why this information was held back.
The year Han won the essay contest, he failed his courses and was held back.
Ms. Laracuente said she tried to enter the building, but was held back by thick smoke.
The "new" signing was held back for the home match against Huddersfield.
The report is dated September 2012, but it was held back by the Ukrainian government.
The Dow was held back by a 1.25 percent decline in Boeing, to $72.61.
The other kids, littler than her, were labeling her because she was held back.
The bulk of the vaunted Republican Guard either hunkered down or was held back from battle.
I was born in a country where I was held back enormously because banks were nationalized.
Ester, who was held back last year, reads beautifully as a narrator.
