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

Relevance

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 investigation comes a day after Trump threatened to withhold federal funding to the state over a transgender girl competing in state track and field championships this weekend. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2025 The change was announced shortly after President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from California. —Staff, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2025 Those negotiations started earlier in the month, but did not get off the ground as Russia sent low-level officials, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to withhold his own attendance. —Al Weaver, The Hill, 27 May 2025 Trump has also threatened the school's tax-exempt status and has withheld billions in federal funding since the school refused to comply with the administration's demands regarding campus policies and governance. —David Brennan, ABC News, 26 May 2025 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
  • However, the end of the conversation was probably the headline – that Amodei refused to rule out AI becoming self-aware in key ways.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Indian officials had previously refused to confirm even a single aircraft loss.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Definition of refuse
Verb
  • Humectants are substances that attract and retain water molecules, keeping things moist and hydrated by drawing moisture from the air or from deeper layers of the skin.
    — Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025
  • Shy Tuttle to retain his job this summer with so many talented players in front of him.
    — Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2025
Definition of retain
Verb
  • The university in January 2024 denied Tucker’s appeal of the findings.
    — Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 4 June 2025
  • Small business owners should not be denied access to their customers because of the government’s desire to place unnecessary restrictions on commerce.
    — Julian Canete, Oc Register, 4 June 2025
Definition of deny
Verb
  • Except for what keeps coming up in this most interesting of books.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • If that kind of freaks you out, keep this in mind: The right diet can have a positive impact on aging—and that includes the aging brain.
    — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 3 June 2025
Definition of keep
Verb
  • The jury rejected the BBC's defense that its journalism was fair, responsible and in the public interest.
    — Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 30 May 2025
  • In December, the state Legislature initially rejected the plan because of funding ambiguities.
    — Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Definition of reject
Verb
  • The two were known for hosting parties and held a coveted status as leaders of Hollywood’s original Rat Pack.
    — Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
  • Ezra Levin, the head of Indivisible, a grassroots movement associated with the movement, told the Jim Acosta Show that an upcoming coordinated protest on June 14, President Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day, would take place in areas away from where Trump is holding a parade.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Definition of hold
Verb
  • The April 11 ruling came during a hearing in Maryland, where a Justice Department attorney declined to provide basic details about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 7 June 2025
  • Blain declined to comment on the lawsuit after it was filed.
    — Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Definition of decline
Verb
  • The approved budget would preserve the portion of the program for those 65 and older, allocating $110 million for that coverage.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • For You, these acts are attempts to preserve art’s political orientation as left-wing and capitalism-critical—albeit produced under extreme capitalist conditions and in full awareness of that cognitive dissonance.
    — Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Definition of preserve

Phrases Containing withhold

Browse Nearby Words

withheld (from)
withhold
withhold (from)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withhold. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on withhold

Nglish: Translation of withhold for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All