withhold

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 Critics in both the U.S. and Europe argue that withholding military aid at a critical juncture risks emboldening Russia and could force Ukraine into accepting unfavorable terms. Danny Bakst, Fortune, 3 July 2025 Education and state leaders said that President Donald Trump’s decision to withhold more than $6 billion in federal grants for K-12 schools could severely impact resources for the state’s most vulnerable students including staffing, reading interventions and after school programs, among others. Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 3 July 2025 House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., called the move to withhold the appropriated funds a violation of federal law with potentially devastating consequences. Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 2 July 2025 Yet, the hockey business is booming, and the league stopped withholding escrow payments for the 2024-25 season in January, with the expectation that the escrow fund would fully revert to players. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for withhold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withhold
Verb
  • In both cases, as there was no misconduct, there were no apologies offered and no admission of guilt, in an effort to protect their reputations by refusing contrition for their journalism.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
  • Prioritizing TikTok Shop's growth could motivate ByteDance to back down from refusing to sell the app, but ultimately, China would still need to sign off, Trump has said.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Bezos retained 75% of the couple's Amazon stock, in addition to her voting control in the company, as previously reported by USA TODAY.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • Whether the Cubs can retain Tucker after this season will factor in, too.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • But the company denies claims that its equipment sparked the 2019 fire, which tore through Sylmar, Porter Ranch and Granada Hills — all suburbs of Los Angeles — burning 8,799 acres.
    Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • To many in the transgender community, the policy also felt like another attack by the current administration to erase them from public spaces and deny their existence.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Many kids want to keep playing at the park or in the pool, totally oblivious to the fact that their parents are desperate to sit in front of the AC for a few minutes.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 27 June 2025
  • So, for example, if the merchant was charged $10 less, the processor would keep $5 to $8 and pass the rest to the merchant.
    Robert Day, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • New York Senator Julia Salazar, who was among the electeds observing hearings Thursday called for New Yorkers to reject what is happening inside lower Manhattan immigration courts.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • But her boss rejects her resignation, and offers her a new assignment: find Xavier, the mysterious kingpin whose power reaches all the way to the Oval Office.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • The Mariners hold a 5 1/2-game game over the Royals in the AL Wild Card standings.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
  • But what if this isn’t a fight to win, but a lesson in learning how to hold your center amidst chaos?
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • LeBron James already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Lakers for next season, the Rockets traded for Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
  • At the time, Harvard declined to comment on the president’s post.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Heritage assets — of which there are many — have been preserved and in some cases restored.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 7 July 2025
  • The difference could confuse beneficiaries, according to National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, a non-profit advocating to preserve and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.
    Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 7 July 2025

Cite this Entry

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

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