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

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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 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 Edison SpA, the Italian electric utility unit under French group EDF, said QatarEnergy extended a force majeure notice, withholding four additional LNG cargoes scheduled for Italy’s Adriatic LNG terminal until early September. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 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 The Navy has shifted from search and rescue to recovery operations, withholding the Marine’s name while crews scour roughly 2,400 square miles with military ships and aircraft. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding

Verb

But in its response to the federal lawsuit, the company defended itself in court records, denying some of the allegations.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
The move follows months of public discussion, including an online survey — open through July 15, a community meeting and feedback from the Zoning Commission, which recommended denying the current draft proposal to allow additional review.

— Ken Molestina, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Definition of denying

Verb

Investors will be keeping a close watch on the listing of SBI Fund Management next week, as strong post IPO gains would increase appetite for new issues.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Some executives are even traveling with armed guards, while others have taken to keeping a lower public profile.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 16 July 2026

Definition of keeping

Verb

For the first time since at least 1974, new homes are selling for less than existing ones, and the culprit is a mix of builders getting generous and sellers refusing to budge.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Lestat uses his songs to analyze his past while refusing to deal with the ongoing reality of his mother’s emotional manipulation and physical abuse.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

For some, this might have meant sitting in a compact defensive block to contain energy, while others rested on the ball, retaining possession and moving around the opposition.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 21 July 2026
The same study found 65% of manufacturers cite attracting and retaining talent as their primary business challenge.

— Rush LaSelle, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of retaining

Verb

Additional programmable keys can be assigned to common functions such as push-to-talk, sending prompts, or accepting and rejecting code changes.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
One of these, according to Valdés Ugalde, has been rejecting extradition requests for politicians allegedly linked to drug trafficking on the grounds of national sovereignty.

— Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 12 July 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

In true British fashion, Bellingham was holding a cup of barbecue beans in the photo.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
Heading into the final weekend of the tournament, Messi led the Golden Boot race over talented players far younger, tied with France’s Kylian Mbappe at eight goals, but holding the edge with four assists to three.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

Definition of holding

Verb

When total daily food volume drops, a nutrient-dense first meal sets the tone for hitting muscle-preserving protein targets before appetite fades later in the day.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 15, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
The plaintiffs’ lawyers said in a statement that the lawsuit asks for one thing — preserving the status quo to keep the workers employed pending arbitration.

— Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 15 July 2026