WITHHOLDS Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

withholds

verb

present tense third-person singular of withhold

as in denies

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 retains

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 withholds The governing lottery body automatically withholds 24% of the prize, leaving the balance to be paid by the winner. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 Iqbal, a migrant Muslim man, drifts through a city that withholds its welcome. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 June 2026 Trump has made clear his disdain for NATO, his affection for Putin, gushes over autocrats, and withholds military support for Ukraine. — Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026 For a pivotal scene in which Marji publicly contradicts her teacher’s claim about political prisoners, Satrapi withholds background detail entirely, save for a whisper of trees outside a window. — Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholds

Verb

The Office for Civil Rights also alleged more than 60 male students were competing on girls sports teams at Jeffco Public Schools, an accusation the district denies.

— Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026
The Republican congressman, who denies claims of domestic abuse, has resisted calls to drop his bid for a third term.

— Alexei Koseff, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of denies

Verb

The 12-article draft legislation outlines the procedures for the disarmament of the group — which still retains the bulk of its weapons — and the rehabilitation of thousands of PKK members.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Employers should cease auditing health, design for fluctuation, ensure default accessibility, and cover costs, recognizing that universal access benefits everyone and retains talent.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of retains

Verb

Despite an impressive guest book that includes Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Aga Khan III, Rita Hayworth, and Ringo Starr, Hôtel Royal refuses to rest on its laurels.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Mungiu refuses to supply easy answers or simple paths to identification in this compelling provocation, which poses unresolvable questions to viewers about our biases and presumptions.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuses

Verb

Cohen said yielding ground to Iran would be difficult for the president, even if the conflict keeps gasoline prices elevated and poses problems for Republicans in November’s midterm elections.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Journal, rest, take a silent walk, or name the thought that keeps circling.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of keeps

Verb

Chan Gin Kai, founder and CEO of Silver Media Group, said Asia holds some of the richest histories, cultures and mythologies in the world, but many of these stories remain little known outside their home countries.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
Craig represents the state's Second Congressional District and holds a significant cash advantage in the race.

— Aki Nace, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of holds

Verb

Inland taipan Often described as the world’s most venomous snake based on laboratory toxicity tests, the inland taipan possesses venom capable of attacking the nervous system, muscles, and blood.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Similar to other colubrids, this species possesses a Duvernoy’s gland—a venom gland located behind the eyes and connected by a tube to grooved, backward-curving teeth at the back of the upper jaw.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026