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
• authorize
• OK
• license
• agree (to)
• warrant
• consent (to)
• sanction
• acquiesce
• commission
• accede (to)
• accord
• assent (to)
• 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)
• 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

Some top Democrats have withheld endorsements, and his support skews heavily toward younger voters. —NPR, 3 Nov. 2025

The Department of Agriculture planned to withhold $8 billion needed for payments to the food program starting on Saturday until two federal judges ordered the administration to fund it. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025

Of particular note are the baskets, details regarding which are currently being withheld at the request of the associated tribe in order to aid the investigation. —News Desk, Artforum, 3 Nov. 2025

Importantly, the benefits that are withheld are added to monthly benefits once the beneficiary reaches full retirement age. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025

Phrases Containing withhold

• withhold (from)