withhold

verb

with-ˈhōld How to pronounce withhold (audio)
Definition of withholdnext
1
as in to refuse
to be unwilling to grant must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to retain
to continue to have in one's possession or power withhold some money for your own expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word withhold distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of withhold are detain, keep, reserve, and retain. While all these words mean "to hold in one's possession or under one's control," withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

withheld information from the authorities

When would detain be a good substitute for withhold?

The synonyms detain and withhold are sometimes interchangeable, but detain suggests a delay in letting go.

detained them for questioning

In what contexts can keep take the place of withhold?

While in some cases nearly identical to withhold, keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

keep this while I'm gone

When is it sensible to use reserve instead of withhold?

The words reserve and withhold can be used in similar contexts, but reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

reserve some of your energy for the last mile

When might retain be a better fit than withhold?

In some situations, the words retain and withhold are roughly equivalent. However, retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of withhold The group argues that all traders should be required to prove their identity, and payouts on suspicious trades be withheld pending investigation. — Douglas Gillison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 The law created a public records exemption for government agencies to withhold victims’ identifying information. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 Those provisions give the inspector general new authority to temporarily withhold portions of his reports that reveal security risks, fraud-detection gaps or pending litigation. — Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 To protect itself from Chinese blackmail, Europe could leverage its Airbus sales by withholding software updates for China’s Airbus fleet, which would ground more than half the country’s commercial planes. — Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for withhold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withhold
  1. refuse
  2. retain
  3. deny
  4. keep
  5. reject
  6. hold
  7. decline
  8. preserve
Verb
  • Reuters reported that five migrants who refused to disembark after arriving in Monrovia were flown instead to Equatorial Guinea in Central Africa, where they are held with more than 30 other migrants previously sent there by the US.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The channel, which is banned inside Iran, refuses to disclose its private donors.
    — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of refuse
Verb
  • Conversely, someone with a BMI in the normal range could have lost considerable muscle while retaining excess body fat.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • These were followed by black- and silver-dial models retaining the dual-color bezel.
    — Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of retain
Verb
  • During a month in detention, Khan was denied access to medications for hypothyroidism, high blood pressure and glaucoma, according to testimony by her daughter, Riya Khan.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • He was then kept at Palace the following season playing just eight times, being denied the opportunity for a temporary move away, before playing 36 times for Sheffield United in the Championship in 2024-25, scoring seven times.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of deny
Verb
  • The fewer than 200 attendees at last week’s semi-secret session in the museum’s intimate Clive Davis Theater had done a good job of helping keep the nature of the performance under wraps until now.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Because something unexpected could impact your money or your possession, keep your eyes open!
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of keep
Verb
  • Pakistan’s government rejected the allegations over the weekend, saying Khan was examined by doctors from the private hospital and that he could not be taken to Shifa International for security reasons.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Importantly, the jury's decision is advisory, meaning the ultimate decision rests with the judge, who can accept or reject the conclusions.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • Summer told McCallum the man instructed her to hold onto his arm.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo are in great shape and constantly holding their own, getting into the backfield and swatting down passes.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Watts declined Rolling Stone’s multiple requests for an interview and did not specifically address a majority of questions posed to him in a detailed request for comment.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • When first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in May, Devers declined to learn the position despite Boston’s dearth of options.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • Charles Bradshaw, community plans and liaison officer at Naval Base Coronado, said the bridge preserves vital defense access as part of the strategic highway network.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Toll Brothers may have worked to preserve more oak trees than before, but this isn’t the last time Folsom will likely hear about preserving oak woodland.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of preserve

Phrases Containing withhold

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withheld (from)
withhold
withhold (from)
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Cite this Entry

“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withhold. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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