Synonyms of withhold

withhold 1 of 2

verb (1)

with-ˈhōld 

1

as in to refuse

to be unwilling to grant

must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• refuse
• deny
• reject
• decline
• disallow
• disapprove
• forbid
• negative
• prohibit
• restrict
• veto
• keep
• enjoin
• proscribe
• nix
• restrain
• reprobate
• ban
• hold
• check
• spurn
• repel
• constrain
• repress
• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• curb
• rebuff
• balk (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permit
• let
• provide
• allow
• grant
• give
• furnish
• afford
• concede
• supply
• okay
• authorize
• OK
• license
• warrant
• agree (to)
• acquiesce
• commission
• consent (to)
• accede (to)
• sanction
• assent (to)
• licence
• accord
• vouchsafe

2

as in to retain

to continue to have in one's possession or power

withhold some money for your own expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retain
• keep
• hold
• preserve
• possess
• save
• reserve
• have
• protect
• conserve
• hold on to
• enjoy
• guard
• hang on to
• own
• manage
• control
• boast
• direct
• rule
• detain
• cherish
• treasure
• command
• cling (to)
• hug
• harbor
• bear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yield
• relinquish
• release
• give
• surrender
• abandon
• give up
• contribute
• drop
• donate
• reject
• discard
• cede
• dump
• hand over
• lose
• decline
• repudiate
• hand out
• spurn

withhold (from)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to keep (from)

to resist the temptation of

please see if you can withhold from criticizing every little thing she says

Synonyms & Similar Words

• keep (from)
• avoid
• refrain (from)
• abstain (from)
• forego
• forgo
• deny
• forbear
• refuse
• abjure
• shun
• curb
• check
• inhibit
• constrain
• eschew
• reject
• combat
• repudiate
• fight
• buck

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• surrender (to)
• bow (to)
• succumb (to)
• give in (to)
• concede (to)
• acquiesce (to)
• capitulate
• knuckle under (to)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of withhold

Verb

Last month, President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the state over a transgender athlete’s participation in a sporting event. —Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 11 June 2025

The school argues that withholding funding violates the First Amendment and that the government did not follow legal procedures. —Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 10 June 2025

Since January, the agency has been forced by Trump officials to fire thousands of its workers and rescind or withhold funding from thousands of research projects. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025

Ceja Alvarez's attorney, Alfonso Otero, asked the public to withhold judgment in the case until all the evidence is reviewed by prosecutors. —Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025

Phrases Containing withhold

• withhold (from)