1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
The conditions of the surviving people on board were not known, and authorities are withholding the identity of the person who died until their family can be notified, said Jose Baeza, public information officer for the Laredo Police Department.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Hellyer suggested that Netanyahu was unlikely to respond to rhetoric about the need for Israel to stand down, which would require Washington to look for greater sources of leverage, such as withholding arms sales and aid.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
The complaint says the conference ended up withholding over $14 million in revenue distributions and the school had reimburse the conference for legal costs.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026
These smugglers charge thousands of euros a person and often force their passengers into prostitution or other forms of black market labor by withholding their documents to pay off the debt.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
That proves crucial in a perversely withholding film that refuses to clarify anything to do with Robin’s past.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 June 2026
Proposals range from purchasing tickets, only to leave seats conspicuously empty, to booing the national anthem and withholding any celebration of Iranian goals.
—Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Harbour isn’t withholding in conversation, exactly, but he’s made clear, to a degree unusual for an actor doing press, that talking about his work is far less important to him than doing it.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026
Councilmember Jose Preciado, who cast a dissenting vote along with McCann to continue the item, supported awarding the funding and cautioned against withholding it.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Hellyer suggested that Netanyahu was unlikely to respond to rhetoric about the need for Israel to stand down, which would require Washington to look for greater sources of leverage, such as withholding arms sales and aid.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
The complaint says the conference ended up withholding over $14 million in revenue distributions and the school had reimburse the conference for legal costs.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026
These smugglers charge thousands of euros a person and often force their passengers into prostitution or other forms of black market labor by withholding their documents to pay off the debt.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
That proves crucial in a perversely withholding film that refuses to clarify anything to do with Robin’s past.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 June 2026
Proposals range from purchasing tickets, only to leave seats conspicuously empty, to booing the national anthem and withholding any celebration of Iranian goals.
—Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Harbour isn’t withholding in conversation, exactly, but he’s made clear, to a degree unusual for an actor doing press, that talking about his work is far less important to him than doing it.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026
Councilmember Jose Preciado, who cast a dissenting vote along with McCann to continue the item, supported awarding the funding and cautioned against withholding it.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding
Verb
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University of California Health is denying reports that human bodies donated for research and education at UC San Diego in La Jolla were sold to the Navy and the Israel Defense Forces for military medical training.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 June 2026
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And no one is denying the tensions between certain governments.—
Ava Berger,
NPR,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Master beekeeper Nicole Palladino is keeping the rooftop at the Westfield Century City shopping center buzzing with activity, as about 30,000 bees work to make honey.—
Kara Finnstrom,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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In line with existing sleep hygiene guidelines, Winter suggests keeping your bedroom between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Trump has frequently been at odds with the NBA during his two terms in office, with big stars like Stephen Curry and LeBron James refusing invites during his first term in office.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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In a shocking decision in February, Prasad rejected Moderna’s filing, refusing to even review the vaccine.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Verb
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As ever, the challenge is to deliver something fresh while retaining the essence of the hugely popular original, released over 1995-2004.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
19 June 2026
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For Nieves, the secret in gaining new dads and retaining others is simplicity.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
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As its offense gained confidence, Scotland turned away two more Moroccan scoring bids, with Hendry sliding to deflect a Sabiri dangerous shot off the crossbar and Gunn rejecting an El Khannouss header off a corner kick.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
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What the Business Roundtable Actually Showed In 2019, the Business Roundtable issued a statement seemingly rejecting shareholder primacy.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Canada is now tied with Switzerland atop Group B, with both teams holding four points after two matches.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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There are also the remnants of a statue thought to be of Silvanus, the Roman god of the countryside, holding a small animal in one hand and a basket adorned with birds in another.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Factors such as declining birth rates and families moving out of the city are contributing to declining enrollment at Denver Public Schools.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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While one in three students nationwide experienced chronic absenteeism during the 2021-2022 academic year, the rate is declining, from up to 30% to roughly 24% by the start of the past school year, according to estimates from the Return 2 Learn tracker reviewed by ABC News.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Instead, those investigations are handled by an internal group of Air Force specialists tasked with collecting evidence, preserving it and interviewing witnesses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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The chemists redesigned the MOF structure with atomic precision, tuning its desorption profile while preserving its stability and low-humidity adsorption.—
Dr. Samer Taha,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withholding. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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