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 But the thing about Michael that everybody really seems to be hung up on, and rightfully so, is the story about him buying Vicki an engagement ring and then withholding it based on her behavior. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 In addition to withholding their names for safety reasons, the highway patrol asked the Monitor not to photograph faces of federal agents or arrestees. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026 Blanche said some records remain classified for legitimate national security reasons but rejected the suggestion that the government is withholding material to shield another country. — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026 Some involve withholding an inhaler from a child who needs it, while others show allergic children forced to eat shellfish. — Jon Christian, Futurism, 9 Sep. 2026 Instead of punishing undesirable behavior by withholding money, buycotts encourage consumers to reward companies by spending with a purpose. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2026 The United States should not echo its 1970s policies around food power, during which officials boasted of altruism while attempting to exert political strength by alternatively deploying and withholding its grain supply. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026 Third-party sellers who hawk their wares on Amazon's marketplace have recently criticized surging advertising costs on the site, including a string of recent policy changes, which led to some top merchants withholding their ad spend in a boycott. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 Despite Metro Government withholding the precise location of the cameras, the reports indicate that more than half of the vandalism incidents occurred in LMPD's Third Division, which covers southwestern Jefferson County. — Josh Wood, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding

Verb

This creates a clear boundary without denying employees access to the technology altogether.

— David Matalon, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
According to the plaintiffs’ legal team, the USAA policy violates state law by denying qualified drivers access to the lowest premiums.

— Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2026

Definition of denying

Verb

The carrier’s return also highlights the continuing importance of maintenance and modernization in keeping large naval vessels operational decades after their commissioning.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
That report recommended keeping the SAT and ACT in place until UC could develop its own admissions test, an idea UC later concluded was too difficult and costly.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of keeping

Verb

Singh is serious about his craft, thinking long and hard about how to create a sound that feels recognizably country while retaining a Punjabi folk soul.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Originally launched in 1990, this hiking shoe has been reinterpreted for the fall/winter 2026 season with a modernized construction while retaining its distinctive silhouette.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of retaining

Verb

For some business owners, the impact extends beyond declining sales.

— Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan surpassed a record 100,000 this year, the latest government figures show, underscoring the country's rapidly aging and declining population.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

The Indonesian version reimagines the romance at the heart of the original story through an Indonesian setting and cultural context, while preserving the emotional resonance of the original show.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
The vintage suitcase that started it all was scanned and digitally printed on a handbag, the Capucines MM Genesis, and a mini attaché case with a shoulder strap, dubbed the Valisette Genesis, thereby capturing and preserving its singular patina.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026