1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in keeping
to continue to have in one's possession or power
withhold some money for your own expenses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of withholding
For Nanos, much of the public criticism overlooks the realities of how complex criminal investigations unfold, especially when detectives are intentionally withholding information to protect the integrity of the case.
—
Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The union warned that withholding the money could set Bay Area school districts back more than $586 million.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Ahead of the Brussels meeting, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his government needed more time to study a French-Swedish proposal to sever West Bank settlers from EU markets, effectively withholding support despite mounting popular political pressure.
—Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Today’s case was begun in June 2024 against the city Department of Environmental Protection for withholding WTC records.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Authorities are withholding his identity pending identification by the Adams County Coroner's Office and notification of his next of kin.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 10 May 2026
In a civil lawsuit, Clark accused investigators of engaging in misconduct to secure his conviction, including fabricating statements, pressuring witnesses and withholding evidence that could have supported his innocence.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Compared to RuPaul’s Drag Race’s more effusive guests, Michelle Visage can come off as the withholding evil stepmother on the judges’ panel.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Punishments included withholding food from inmates or forcing them to sit with their arms folded while they were beaten and kicked.
—Raquel Rutledge, ProPublica, 5 May 2026
Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The union warned that withholding the money could set Bay Area school districts back more than $586 million.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Ahead of the Brussels meeting, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his government needed more time to study a French-Swedish proposal to sever West Bank settlers from EU markets, effectively withholding support despite mounting popular political pressure.
—Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Today’s case was begun in June 2024 against the city Department of Environmental Protection for withholding WTC records.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Authorities are withholding his identity pending identification by the Adams County Coroner's Office and notification of his next of kin.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 10 May 2026
In a civil lawsuit, Clark accused investigators of engaging in misconduct to secure his conviction, including fabricating statements, pressuring witnesses and withholding evidence that could have supported his innocence.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Compared to RuPaul’s Drag Race’s more effusive guests, Michelle Visage can come off as the withholding evil stepmother on the judges’ panel.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Punishments included withholding food from inmates or forcing them to sit with their arms folded while they were beaten and kicked.
—Raquel Rutledge, ProPublica, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding
Verb
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Organizations can also be barred for promoting what the agency calls delegitimization campaigns against Israel; for denying the existence of Israel as a democratic state; or for employing an officeholder who has called for a boycott of Israel.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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In March, the Eighth District Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling denying the 2024 petition.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Though the couple hasn't commented publicly on their relationship, and Foxx has been candid about keeping his relationships out of the spotlight in the past, Huckstepp has supported Foxx at a number of events.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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The nonprofit’s statement did not reference the permitting process, but highlighted the importance of keeping the event running for the LGBTQ+ community.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Moreover, lawmakers are engaged in budget negotiations, where the House is refusing to fund several of DeSantis’ priorities.—
Gray Rohrer,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2026
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Former Representative Elizabeth Holtzman, one of the co-authors, has portrayed the act as a corrective to the moral failure of refusing entry to many Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Decisions must be made about retaining potential UFA blueliners Trouba, Gudas and John Carlson.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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This strategy allows investors to collect premium income while retaining a window for capital appreciation, a necessary feature when a stock exhibits the fundamental and technical strength currently seen in XOM.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
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But the system kept rejecting it, saying my Colorado driver license wasn’t from the United States.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
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When Nita rebuffs the advances of the lightweight cad Christophe (who’s Pierre’s brother), that’s the one focused emotion in the movie — a woman rejecting workplace harassment.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Cross your legs while standing up and holding your arms out to the side, lower yourself to sit criss-cross on the floor by bending your knees, and stand back up—without using your hands, knees, or any furniture, or losing your balance.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
15 May 2026
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During Friday's Morning Meeting , Jim disagreed with investors piling into enterprise software stocks with no meaningful catalysts right now, including companies like Workday , ServiceNow , and Club holding Salesforce , following Ackman's disclosure.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Black Bear officials cited the program's declining participation rates and finances as the reason.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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Sadly, bat populations are declining rapidly in North America.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Gary Stern, who served as general counsel of the National Archives for twenty-six years, collaborated with five Administrations—from Bill Clinton’s to Joe Biden’s—on preserving and releasing Presidential records.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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According to project materials, his approach focuses on preserving the relationship between the centuries-old timber structure and the surrounding natural landscape through the use of light, shadow, wood, and stone.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withholding. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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