1
as in denies
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 retains
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 withholds
Refusal renames the finding, files it under welfare, trains the behavior down, passes laws foreclosing the question before anyone asks it in court, withholds broadband funding from states that try to answer it, and publishes declarations insisting the answer is already settled.
—
Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Yet Netflix still withholds crucial details about who receives this data, how identities are stitched and enriched, and how household-level projections power its ad-targeting reach.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 May 2026
The state withholds a portion of Harvey’s revenue because of the city’s past failure to adequately fund its police and fire pension funds.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
In some cases, benefit offsets (where the VA withholds part of your monthly benefit to repay a debt) can be adjusted to reduce the financial strain.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The episode withholds the information that the incoming stew is Ellie, notoriously explosive, competitive, and a poor receiver of feedback, until the very end.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Silence reclaimed Once silenced by the Islamic Republic, Googoosh now voluntarily withholds her voice in solidarity.
—Richard Nedjat-Haiem, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Either chamber of Congress can hold someone in contempt on criminal or civil charges with a simple majority vote if that person refuses to testify, withholds information, or obstructs a congressional inquiry, according to the American Bar Association.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit claims Uber misclassifies drivers as independent contractors to avoid accountability and withholds rider risk data.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Sep. 2025
Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Yet Netflix still withholds crucial details about who receives this data, how identities are stitched and enriched, and how household-level projections power its ad-targeting reach.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 May 2026
The state withholds a portion of Harvey’s revenue because of the city’s past failure to adequately fund its police and fire pension funds.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
In some cases, benefit offsets (where the VA withholds part of your monthly benefit to repay a debt) can be adjusted to reduce the financial strain.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The episode withholds the information that the incoming stew is Ellie, notoriously explosive, competitive, and a poor receiver of feedback, until the very end.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Silence reclaimed Once silenced by the Islamic Republic, Googoosh now voluntarily withholds her voice in solidarity.
—Richard Nedjat-Haiem, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Either chamber of Congress can hold someone in contempt on criminal or civil charges with a simple majority vote if that person refuses to testify, withholds information, or obstructs a congressional inquiry, according to the American Bar Association.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025
The lawsuit claims Uber misclassifies drivers as independent contractors to avoid accountability and withholds rider risk data.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholds
Verb
-
He has not been charged with a crime and denies any wrongdoing.—
Cristian Benavides,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Combs denies all misconduct claims.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The 700 Sky retains the same sporty spirit, of course, with a sleek, lightweight hull and a beastly powertrain ensuring exhilarating performance.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
-
The aircraft retains the fighting capability of the Gripen E variant and can also be used for training.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The film exists because the dead deserve to be witnessed and because the families inside Iran, who cannot speak, deserve someone outside who refuses to forget.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
2 June 2026
-
Walt asks Jesse to kill him, but Jesse refuses and tells him to do it himself.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Today, with an easy island glamour done in white columns and blue arches, the hotel itself retains its air of romance, and its location on a private beach keeps celebrities cycling through.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Krylon suggests painting your porch decor with this shade, giving your home's entryway a timeless look—indoors, Ink Blue furniture keeps your space grounded and stylish.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
By the time a debt collector calls or a lender rejects your loan, an identity thief may have been using your information for months.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
Pamela, a servant, rejects the advances of her wealthy employer and thereby induces him to marry her.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Cal Fire still holds a modest annual budget for wildfire mitigation work.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
In the piece, Mead examines Monroe's legacy, and how her disarming beauty still holds the power to seduce today.—
Rebecca Mead,
Allure,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
When a substantial fraction of that talent pool declines even to consider military service, no signing bonus will close the gap.—
Robert Krasner,
STAT,
1 June 2026
-
And yet there's been no change in women's biology, or the age at which fertility declines.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
But if everyone possesses the same technological advantage, technical proficiency alone will no longer distinguish students.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
FNPPs leverage shipyard capacity and regulatory expertise, with approximately 75% of total value added associated with the Balance of Plant—areas where the Greek maritime-industrial base already possesses relevant capabilities.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withholds. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
