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

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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 The order prohibits anyone from withholding or obstructing necessary treatment or removing, discharging or transferring the child while the case is pending. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 On Tuesday, Wyandotte County District Court Judge Courtney Mikesic found that LivaNova violated Kansas law by withholding the documents during the discovery process and granted the plaintiffs’ request for sanctions against the medtech company. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 Officials are withholding the soldiers' names until their families have been notified. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 The order prevents anyone from withholding or obstructing necessary treatment or removing, discharging, or transferring the child while the court considers the case. — Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 Falsehoods circulate claiming that the virus is a hoax, that health workers are profiting from the outbreak, or that hospitals are withholding lifesaving treatments. — Prosper Heri Ngorora, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 That way, you can never be blamed for withholding anything from him. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026 Comey’s lawyers are pressing to have the case dismissed, accusing the department of misleading judges, submitting documents containing false statements and withholding key facts. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026 Rumors claim that the virus is a hoax, that health workers are profiting from the outbreak or that hospitals are withholding lifesaving treatments. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding

Verb

Pinch-runner Sung-Mun Song scored that winner with a deft headfirst slide, denying Sanchez’s tag attempt after a good (but high) throw from rookie right fielder Luis Lara one play after Lara denied Jackson Merrill’s a game-winning extra-base hit.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO and amplifier of the most absurd of MAGA’s many election-denying claims, was defeated convincingly in his bid for the GOP nomination for governor.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of denying

Verb

And that doesn’t count other Navy demands on the carrier fleet, like exercises with allies or keeping a presence in the Indo-Pacific, Parker said.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
His machines cut six acres a day, continuously keeping South Farms’ lawns neat.

— Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of keeping

Verb

Colombia has begun receiving international aid and rescuers after initially refusing some offers in the crucial hours following Monday’s devastating earthquake.

— Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
They have been used to subdue violent suspects who are refusing to get into squad cars and inmates who are harming themselves and threatening officers, according to Compliant Technologies.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

Following fan outcry, Warners then decided to explore offers to sell it, only to — after rejecting various bids — seemingly take it off the market.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Thurmond offered only a brief explanation for rejecting the appeal, leaving the decision somewhat at odds with the state’s separate finding that the teachers agreement would have improved the district’s financial position.

— Chaewon Chung August 11, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

But that’s not what Parkinson wants from his holding players, as shown by James being 84th in the same metric.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
In a hearing on Wednesday, a judge ruled that Iron Mountain must hand over any physical devices holding the data, Current reported today.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of holding

Verb

High schools should begin with phone-free classes while preserving access during lunch and passing periods.

— Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
If there is no stopping, retired park superintendent Bob Krumenaker said what could happen in Big Bend would rival the flooding of Hetch Hetchy Valley a century ago, an event that changed arguments about preserving the environment.

— Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026