WITHHOLDING Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

withholding

verb

present participle of withhold

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of withholding Chadwick Boseman's brothers are accusing his widow of withholding assets from the late actor's estate. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 22 July 2026 The suit alleges that Lilly takes the same approach when comparing the efficacy of Mounjaro and Ozempic in its ads, withholding new data on a higher dose of Novo's drug that was approved more than four years ago. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 July 2026 News reports have noted that, despite a public commitment to open-source technology, China is considering withholding its most advanced models from other nations. — Aaron Glantz, Christian Science Monitor, 9 July 2026 The police department is withholding his identity until the family is notified. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026 However, the department faced criticism from some lawmakers who questioned whether the department violated the act by withholding some materials and missing the deadline to release the files. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 2 July 2026 As for Anthony's winnings, federal law requires a 24 percent withholding on prizes worth $5,000 or more, according to the Internal Revenue Service. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 Trump was withholding money from Ukraine that Congress had appropriated, and that was the basis for the impeachment. — Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026 The Daily News is withholding the teen’s name because of his age. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding

Verb

Payouts are a contentious issue, with some firms accused of denying profits retroactively.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Pan noted that the majority is effectively ruling in favor of immediately disclosing the material by denying Biden's request for an injunction pending appeal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026

Definition of denying

Verb

With gallons of sunscreen, truckloads of ice and innovative hot-weather treats like upside-down sundaes, day camps are keeping thousands of kids cool in Hotlanta’s record-breaking temperatures.

— Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 24 July 2026
Steve Sarkisian was noncommittal about the Longhorns keeping their upcoming series with Notre Dame after his team lost to Ohio State and finished 9-3 last season.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of keeping

Verb

Oyer said she was fired for refusing to write a letter to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi recommending that actor Mel Gibson have his firearm rights restored.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
But more often, those fighting trafficking live in their own silos, doing their own work, and often failing or refusing to share even scant details with other jurisdictions.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

Colorado requires employers to explain the limits on retaining identification documents and to affirmatively communicate those protections to employees.

— Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Water and Sewer Department leaders urged council members to pass immediate salary adjustments for employees, detailing mounting hurdles in recruiting and retaining qualified personnel amid intense competition from neighboring municipalities.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 July 2026

Definition of retaining

Verb

One bill sought to lower the threshold for rejecting district court judges in retention elections from 50% of the vote plus one to 40%.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
White collar workers are rejecting their company’s AI tools, just as protests against data centers increase across the country.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

Trainees can practice their aim and stance, and holding and firing a handgun are naturally part of it.

— Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
The 30-minute video posted by Pfister of the Zimmerman’s Meat Market incident from earlier this year shows him, his wife, Pam, and another man holding their cameras to the deli’s front window, capturing what was visible inside.

— Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of holding

Verb

However, declining vaccination rates fueled by vaccine hesitancy have created pockets of susceptible individuals where the virus can spread quickly.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Idaho’s divorce rate has been steadily declining for nearly half a century, and since 2020, has been below the low-water mark set in 1956, according to data collected since 1950.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

The tree in Athens isn’t likely to make it through the construction of a new $225 million courthouse, despite some interest in preserving the piece of history hiding in plain sight.

— Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
The Getty Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have announced the final cohort of grantees for the Conserving Black Modernism initiative, which focuses on preserving the work of Black architects.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026