Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

withhold

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of withhold

1 to be unwilling to grant
  • must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted
Synonyms of withhold

decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, nix, refuse, reject, reprobate
Words Related to withhold

ban, enjoin, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, veto

rebuff, repel, spurn

check, constrain, curb, hold, keep, repress, restrain, restrict

balk (at), hinder, impede, obstruct
Near Antonyms of withhold

afford, furnish, give, provide, supply

authorize, commission, license (also licence)

accede (to), acquiesce, agree (to), assent (to), consent (to), warrant

accord, sanction, vouchsafe
Antonyms of withhold

allow, concede, grant, let, OK (or okay), permit
2 to continue to have in one's possession or power
  • withhold some money for your own expenses
Synonyms of withhold

hold, keep, reserve, retain
Words Related to withhold

conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save

boast, enjoy, have, own, possess

command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule

bear, harbor

cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure
Phrases Synonymous with withhold

hang on to, hold on to
Near Antonyms of withhold

abandon, cede, drop

contribute, donate, give, hand out

discard, dump

decline, reject, repudiate, spurn

lose
Antonyms of withhold

give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield

Synonym Discussion of withhold

keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control. keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.
    • keep this while I'm gone
retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.
    • managed to retain their dignity even in poverty
detain suggests a delay in letting go.
    • detained them for questioning
withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.
    • withheld information from the authorities
reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.
    • reserve some of your energy for the last mile

Learn More about withhold

  1. See words that rhyme with withhold Dictionary: Definition of withhold Spanish Central: Translation of withhold Nglish: Translation of withhold for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of withhold for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up withhold? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games