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
That was when the practice began of parents withholding food from children who performed badly on their pre-exams as an incentive to study harder.
—
George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Elliot Grainge’s 10K Projects has been sued by Taz Taylor’s Internet Money, which claims that the company breached fiduciary and contractual obligations by withholding millions of dollars.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Israeli leaders have accused Hamas of withholding them as leverage.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025
Weeks later, the long-running failures of the ETAN Tolling Technology software burst into public view, and SANDAG board members publicly chastised their senior executives for withholding key information from them.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
This decision reverses a previous stance after two federal judges ruled against withholding the funds.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Lawmakers from both parties pressed witnesses on whether defense and intelligence agencies were withholding evidence of unexplained aerial encounters.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Hamas has said the process of recovering them has been delayed by the extent of destruction in the territory, while the Hostages and Missing Families Forum accuses the group of deliberately withholding information.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
The plaintiffs, led by the attorneys general of Massachusetts, California, Arizona and Minnesota, say withholding monthly food assistance payments as a result of a lapse in appropriations would mark a first in the SNAP program's 60-year history.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Oct. 2025
George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Elliot Grainge’s 10K Projects has been sued by Taz Taylor’s Internet Money, which claims that the company breached fiduciary and contractual obligations by withholding millions of dollars.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Israeli leaders have accused Hamas of withholding them as leverage.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025
Weeks later, the long-running failures of the ETAN Tolling Technology software burst into public view, and SANDAG board members publicly chastised their senior executives for withholding key information from them.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
This decision reverses a previous stance after two federal judges ruled against withholding the funds.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Lawmakers from both parties pressed witnesses on whether defense and intelligence agencies were withholding evidence of unexplained aerial encounters.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Hamas has said the process of recovering them has been delayed by the extent of destruction in the territory, while the Hostages and Missing Families Forum accuses the group of deliberately withholding information.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
The plaintiffs, led by the attorneys general of Massachusetts, California, Arizona and Minnesota, say withholding monthly food assistance payments as a result of a lapse in appropriations would mark a first in the SNAP program's 60-year history.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding
Verb
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The Indonesian government cited security and safety concerns for denying the visas, but an Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the country's security team gave clearance to its athletes.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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The township's planning commission voted in late September to recommend denying rezoning for the project, which still must go before the county planning commission and township board.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Bure is keeping her faith — and her Christmas crown — shining bright.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Martin legitimately pinned the Saints’ offense on almost every drive in the first half, keeping the game close, even with New Orleans leading at halftime.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Wisconsin faithful stayed put, drenched and delirious, as if refusing to let the night slip away like so many before it.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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In the meantime, the day-to-day work is on us—looking at our money honestly, making strategic moves, and refusing to let an unfair system keep us from building something better for ourselves and the next generation.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The signature lumber is low-maintenance and resists staining, fading, and retaining moisture — even in coastal and harsh climates.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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The contemporary hull is designed to maximize openness while retaining a close connection with water.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Two in 5 Gen Zers are pursuing blue-collar work, rejecting the collegiate path and learning trades, according to a May 2025 survey of 1,434 young adults by Resume Builder.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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And the British nations, as ever, remained aloof, England rejecting a late offer to step in for Austria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Jeff Bezos holding the device high.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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This loss had to be especially tough for the Jayhawks, considering a controversial holding call on KU changed the momentum of the game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Autophagy means detecting and removing cells that are declining in functional capacity and replacing them with new cells.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
-
However, Gallup's polling also shows declining support among Republicans.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Preserving income, insurance and retirement Financial security also depends on preserving income and protecting loved ones.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
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Created during the prolific reign of Louis XIV, the Académie Française has played a significant role in shaping French culture, preserving and updating the country’s language, grammar and usage over time.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Withholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withholding. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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