1
as in denies
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 retains
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 withholds
In some cases, benefit offsets (where the VA withholds part of your monthly benefit to repay a debt) can be adjusted to reduce the financial strain.
—
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The episode withholds the information that the incoming stew is Ellie, notoriously explosive, competitive, and a poor receiver of feedback, until the very end.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Silence reclaimed Once silenced by the Islamic Republic, Googoosh now voluntarily withholds her voice in solidarity.
—Richard Nedjat-Haiem, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Either chamber of Congress can hold someone in contempt on criminal or civil charges with a simple majority vote if that person refuses to testify, withholds information, or obstructs a congressional inquiry, according to the American Bar Association.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit claims Uber misclassifies drivers as independent contractors to avoid accountability and withholds rider risk data.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Sep. 2025
While parents were fulfilling back-to-school shopping and educators were equipping classrooms with supplies out of their own pockets, the state that withholds money from CPS was holding a hearing to find out why the district is in financial trouble.
—Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
The last time Berkshire requested confidentiality treatment—which withholds information from the public and allows institutional investors to build positions without tipping off the market and triggering copycat trades—was in late 2023.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Cai, who co-wrote the script with Han Nianjin, lays the sauce on thick from the get-go, but also withholds lots of key information about Meiyun and Baoshu’s mysterious connection.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The episode withholds the information that the incoming stew is Ellie, notoriously explosive, competitive, and a poor receiver of feedback, until the very end.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Silence reclaimed Once silenced by the Islamic Republic, Googoosh now voluntarily withholds her voice in solidarity.
—Richard Nedjat-Haiem, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Either chamber of Congress can hold someone in contempt on criminal or civil charges with a simple majority vote if that person refuses to testify, withholds information, or obstructs a congressional inquiry, according to the American Bar Association.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit claims Uber misclassifies drivers as independent contractors to avoid accountability and withholds rider risk data.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Sep. 2025
While parents were fulfilling back-to-school shopping and educators were equipping classrooms with supplies out of their own pockets, the state that withholds money from CPS was holding a hearing to find out why the district is in financial trouble.
—Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
The last time Berkshire requested confidentiality treatment—which withholds information from the public and allows institutional investors to build positions without tipping off the market and triggering copycat trades—was in late 2023.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Cai, who co-wrote the script with Han Nianjin, lays the sauce on thick from the get-go, but also withholds lots of key information about Meiyun and Baoshu’s mysterious connection.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholds
Verb
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In the last 24 hours, regional powers — particularly the UAE — have signaled a hardening of their stance toward Iran despite apparent efforts by the White House to find an off-ramp from the conflict, touting peace talks with the Islamic Republic, which denies negotiations are taking place.—
Holly Ellyatt,Emma Graham,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
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Maduro has pleaded not guilty and denies being involved in drug trafficking.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Vance continues to hold a commanding early lead in polling and retains strong support from the party’s base.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At least, that’s what some people are saying, in a photographic meme that’s been spreading around the internet for years and refuses to die.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Mar. 2026
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Nothing is quite as annoying as a brand that refuses to adjust its fits to curvy bodies—but that’s not an issue here.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For basic productivity and portability, this Chromebook keeps things refreshingly straightforward.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
O’Sullivan keeps his Apple TV boxes, EverPass set, DirecTV receiver, and the knob-pocked board connecting them, along with more than a dozen cables, behind the bar, not far from the receipt printer—and the tequila.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Israel denies charges of a genocide and rejects the boycott and divestment movement.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
23 Mar. 2026
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The mother denied intentionally blocking the visits, claiming the child refuses to attend because Rocha rejects his transgender identity and does not use his new name, according to court documents.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Helium producers in North America — which holds the largest share of the market — are set to benefit from the disruption to Qatar’s supply, but Russia — the third largest helium supplier — could also gain.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
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For those whose days of hair-banking possibility are long behind them, autologous fat grafting holds some promise.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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India and China bore the brunt of the visa declines.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
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The result is a smaller but more engaged core market — one that is spending more per household even as casual participation declines.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He, of course, would be welcomed back and possesses a skill set that NBA teams are intrigued by.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
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Rosatom also possesses the know-how to build small modular reactors (SMRs), which Vietnam is considering for its nuclear energy portfolio in the future.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withholds. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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