1
as in to refuse
to be unwilling to grant
must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted
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2
as in to retain
to continue to have in one's possession or power
withhold some money for your own expenses
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as in to keep (from)
to resist the temptation of
please see if you can withhold from criticizing every little thing she says
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of withhold
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
Verb
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
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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