1
as in denies
to be unwilling to grant
must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of withholds
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
While parents were fulfilling back-to-school shopping and educators were equipping classrooms with supplies out of their own pockets, the state that withholds money from CPS was holding a hearing to find out why the district is in financial trouble.
—Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
The last time Berkshire requested confidentiality treatment—which withholds information from the public and allows institutional investors to build positions without tipping off the market and triggering copycat trades—was in late 2023.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Cai, who co-wrote the script with Han Nianjin, lays the sauce on thick from the get-go, but also withholds lots of key information about Meiyun and Baoshu’s mysterious connection.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
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
While parents were fulfilling back-to-school shopping and educators were equipping classrooms with supplies out of their own pockets, the state that withholds money from CPS was holding a hearing to find out why the district is in financial trouble.
—Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
The last time Berkshire requested confidentiality treatment—which withholds information from the public and allows institutional investors to build positions without tipping off the market and triggering copycat trades—was in late 2023.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Cai, who co-wrote the script with Han Nianjin, lays the sauce on thick from the get-go, but also withholds lots of key information about Meiyun and Baoshu’s mysterious connection.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholds
Verb
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Gates has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein and denies any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The Afghan Taliban denies hosting its Pakistani namesake.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The News retains full editorial control of this coverage.—
Lana Ferguson,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The soil retains summer warmth while cooler air temperatures reduce stress on young plants, giving them more time to establish a strong root system before the summer heat arrives.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The extended rave scene establishes the tone in a film that refuses to parallel park into a specific genre or, for that matter, stick to storytelling norms and expectations.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
However, when an organisation like BAFTA, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The new map imposed last fall by Judge Dianna Gibson keeps Salt Lake County almost entirely within one district, instead of dividing the heavily Democratic population center among all four districts, as was previously the case.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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While the on-site team keeps specific hours, communication remains consistent and responsive throughout the stay.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And top-down impositions could also be painted as less democratic, because the state essentially rejects the self-determination of local communities to oppose new developments.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
-
While Russia rejects the court’s jurisdiction, attacks on objects indispensable to civilian survival are prohibited under the Geneva Conventions and customary international law.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The approach holds science and spirituality together, recognising that each addresses a different dimension of human suffering, and that durable healing requires both.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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What customers are saying Bearno’s Little Sicily holds a positive overall rating on Yelp, with diners highlighting consistently flavorful pizza, generous toppings and friendly, attentive service.—
Staff report,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Badgett added that vitamin D production may also decrease as kidney function declines with age, especially in older adults with chronic kidney disease.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 2026
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The estrogen hormone naturally declines with age and when levels drop during menopause, symptoms can surge.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Jets are so far outside of a playoff spot that Toews, who possesses a full no-movement clause, could soon be asked to pick between dreams.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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The fundamental question in a democracy isn’t whether the government possesses investigative authority.—
Stephanie A,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withholds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withholds. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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