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 The government can withhold federal payments like tax refunds or Social Security, and can have up to 15% of borrowers’ salaries withheld by their employers. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 Tarrant Sheriff’s Office says video evidence was not withheld The Star-Telegram emailed members of the Sheriff’s Office’s media team just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2025 Dhillon also threatened to withhold federal funding from the state. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025 Beginning May 5, the Education Department will begin involuntary collections through the Treasury Department's offset program, which claws back delinquent debts by withholding payments such as tax refunds, federal salaries and Social Security benefits. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for withhold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withhold
Verb
  • Listen to this article Three people were arrested and accused of assaulting a taxi cab driver in Norwalk on Thursday after allegedly refusing to pay their cab fare, including one suspect whose alleged combative behavior injured a police officer.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The suit alleges that ICE agents repeatedly refused to give VML's father her location and denied him the opportunity to speak for more than a minute to VML's mother.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Current borrowers should retain access to IBR, depending on legislative outcomes.
    Robert Farrington, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • McCourt is untroubled by the reports of tensions between De Zerbi and his players and retains full confidence in Longoria’s ability to run the club.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The state also was denied an emergency order to block Musk’s exercise of sweeping power over the federal budget.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Chemicals at the port were suspected to have fueled the explosion, but the exact cause was not clear and Iran's Defence Ministry denied international media reports that the blast may be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles.
    USA Today, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The aviation industry expects the exemption to help companies keep costs down during a sharp pullback in travel spending by consumers worried about slower economic growth and higher inflation.
    Rajesh Kumar Singh, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • There is plenty to keep the Forest faithful enthused until the end of the season.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Guo, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, rejected Trump’s assertions suggesting progress toward a trade deal.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Hours before the scheduled execution on Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a final appeal by Mendoza's attorneys to stop the execution.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At the lowest income levels, only about 13% of households held retirement accounts in 2022, according to the federal Survey of Consumer Finances.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Lawlor has held the position as chief of operations for the Division of Criminal Justice since 2018 and supervised prosecutors involved in appeals, cases involving multiple jurisdictions, civil litigation, housing complaints, Medicaid fraud and other matters.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The burger chain's same-store sales in the U.S. declined 3.6% in the first quarter, reflecting economic pressures weighing on low- and middle-income consumers in particular, McDonald's said on its earnings call.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 1 May 2025
  • The downturn is closely tied to Tesla's sliding stock value, which has declined this year amid rising competition in the electric vehicle market.
    Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Chromium uses chemicals to preserve the animal's skin, and offers more water and heat resistance for the leather products it's applied to.
    Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Kawhi Leonard’s Game 2 gem should be preserved for all eternity.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withhold. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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