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 Star-Telegram has also reached out to the Senate’s Disbursing Office and the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer in the House seeking information about which Tarrant County lawmakers have asked that their paychecks be withheld. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025 District leaders warned that aspects of the program—especially tutoring—may be cut due to threats from the Department of Education to withhold funding. Annabelle Canela, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025 Democrats have largely withheld votes from a short-term plan to fund the government, insisting Republicans engage with them on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 About 750,000 federal employees ranging from workers at national parks to financial regulators could be furloughed under a shutdown, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, withholding about $400 million in daily compensation. Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for withhold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withhold
Verb
  • What isn’t known — and what university and fraternity officials have refused to discuss — is what happened in the basement of the three-story house in the 1300 block of West Campus Road, before the young man lost consciousness.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Thomas, alas, can refuse any trade after taking the qualifying offer this summer and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Things changed in January when management announced that DuPont would retain its water business — not only to accelerate the timing of the electronics spin, but also to enhance the overall attractiveness of the remaining legacy company.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Standard whey protein powders derive their protein content from a substance called whey protein concentrate—whey protein that retains the fat and carbs of the original whey, according to Dada.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Both initially denied the affair, though Rimes later admitted to it.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • This is what happens when any people and their history are denied, forgotten, declared disposable.
    Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Individual bulbs need to be spaced at least an inch apart, so keep that in mind when choosing the width of your container.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Such pleasurable pains, at their most chronic, or their most carnal, can keep Lang occupied for the length of a stanza.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals later rejected a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel against him.
    Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The Senate rejected Democratic and Republican plans to reopen the government Thursday, its seventh attempt to break the stalemate.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement An investigation led by the Guardian found in September that out of the 6,000 Palestinians from Gaza held by Israel since the Hamas terror attack two years ago, only one quarter were held on suspicion of militant links.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Second, ensure the whole executive team fully buys into the idea and holds others accountable for implementation.
    Adam Gale, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Agency officials and spokespeople declined to speak to ProPublica.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Trammell Crow declined to provide further details on the permit filing, including information on a construction timeline.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Timberview’s Jarvis Smith intercepted a pass in the end zone on the final play to preserve the 14-14 tie heading into halftime.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withhold. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on withhold

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