1
as in denying
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 keeping
to continue to have in one's possession or power
withhold some money for your own expenses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of withholding
Despite the money being available, people inside and outside the government say the State Department is deliberately withholding some of the funds.
—
Fatma Tanis, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
Elmore is accused of supplying drugs that were used to kill one of the Killing Fields victims, and of withholding information about the killings from authorities for more than 40 years.
—John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Such confidential filings allow companies to get feedback from regulators while withholding information from competitors.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Five states, meanwhile, have provided publicly available voter information – name, address and party affiliation – to the DOJ while withholding more sensitive information.
—John J. Martin, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Schwartz had pleaded guilty to withholding $39 million in payroll taxes from his employees and failing to send the money to the IRS.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 30 Mar. 2026
The states are asking the court to block USDA from enforcing the conditions, vacate them entirely, and prevent the agency from withholding funds from states, school districts or other sub‑recipients.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
That’s not a sign of him withholding his opinion, though.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
For now, Delta appears to be alone among major airlines in withholding special perks from Congress during the shutdown.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Fatma Tanis, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
Elmore is accused of supplying drugs that were used to kill one of the Killing Fields victims, and of withholding information about the killings from authorities for more than 40 years.
—John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Such confidential filings allow companies to get feedback from regulators while withholding information from competitors.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Five states, meanwhile, have provided publicly available voter information – name, address and party affiliation – to the DOJ while withholding more sensitive information.
—John J. Martin, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Schwartz had pleaded guilty to withholding $39 million in payroll taxes from his employees and failing to send the money to the IRS.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 30 Mar. 2026
The states are asking the court to block USDA from enforcing the conditions, vacate them entirely, and prevent the agency from withholding funds from states, school districts or other sub‑recipients.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
That’s not a sign of him withholding his opinion, though.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
For now, Delta appears to be alone among major airlines in withholding special perks from Congress during the shutdown.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding
Verb
-
Insurance kept denying me anyway.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Chawinga is known for her help-defense — denying passes to players in those spaces, or even closing down the player sending in such crosses.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Supporters say the plates will help recognize the cultural pride that goes into keeping these hot rods rolling on California roadways.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Gibbs will request, keeping them busier than clients half her age.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In addition to the DUI, Woods faces additional charges for refusing the urine test.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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He was jailed on a count of DUI after refusing to take a urine test, which carries an additional charge.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rather than simply buying the house, Gores traded a portfolio of Los Angeles–area assets, including undeveloped land in Bel Air, while retaining a financial interest in some of those properties, consolidating multiple holdings into a single trophy estate.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
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Only 2200 of them remain, having staved off swells of economic uncertainty, retaining their Irish accents and ways of life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The same year, an appeals court said a lawsuit against Snapchat over a speed filter feature involved in deadly car crashes could proceed, rejecting the company's argument that the case should be thrown out on Section 230 grounds.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
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Union leaders said negotiations have stalled for months, and are accusing BP of rejecting their proposals on jobs, pay, and safety.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Surveillance footage showed Angel-Martinez, Castillo and Pineda getting out of their vehicle wearing masks and holding guns, according to court documents.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
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The Huskies were also dominated on the glass, with South Carolina holding a 47-32 advantage.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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European luxury is entering a high-stakes first-quarter reporting period as sentiment has taken a decisive hit, just as many of the sector's big names were nearing a turning point after years of declining sales.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Royal Navy has shrunk dramatically since the Cold War ended, with combat-ready ships declining from 166 in 1975 to 66 in 2025, following decades of military spending cuts.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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City backers and project leaders tasked the Beltline with building or preserving 5,600 housing units at rates below market-rate while simultaneously delivering a 22-mile trail loop by the end of 2030.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Importantly, this approach is not specific to preserving just this species of squirrel.—
Eve Bohnett,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withholding. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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