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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Concerns over corruption and democratic backsliding prompted the bloc to begin withholding billions in funding to Hungary in 2021. — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Busfield’s attorneys had accused prosecutors in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, of pursuing the case despite a lack of evidence and withholding witness testimony from grand jurors, according to the AP. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Megan James, 33, who at the time was Siira’s fellow caregiver, was also arrested and charged with her murder and related felonies, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office first reported in June 2024 while withholding Siira’s name as the victim. — Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026 The consignment came at a dire time for the gallery, which has faced multiple lawsuits in recent years, including one filed by artist Jeffrey Gibson, alleging the gallery was withholding hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales proceeds. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026 The Trib is withholding Nick’s full name to avoid marring his reputation in the eyes of future employers or others who might run a search on him. — Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 The goal is not to manufacture dependency by withholding information people need to do their jobs; that would simply create bureaucracy. — Samuel Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 The federal government had also been squeezing the region economically, by withholding funds needed to pay Tigray’s civil servants and limiting access to banks and fuel, according to the TPLF. — Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 Italian magistrates accused Egyptian authorities of withholding key information requested through international legal channels, an allegation Cairo rejected. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding

Verb

Her husband, Conor, has gone on the record denying any involvement in her death.

— Kelsie Cairns , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
The latter predicts a single universe by denying the universal validity of Schrödinger’s equation.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of denying

Verb

Safe-haven demand has continued to support Treasuries, keeping 10-year yields near the lower end of their October range, the bank said.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Broad windows, strategic skylights, and deep overhangs optimize vistas and weather exposure, keeping interiors light and warm.

— Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of keeping

Verb

On September 19, Miller’s forecast gave the Republicans an almost 36% chance of retaining control of the upper chamber.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Attias said the family decided in 2025 to finally open the Clark, later retaining OTH Hotels Resorts to manage it.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of retaining

Verb

Unlike municipalities Uthmeier threatened after rejecting the agreements, these local governments have not formally accepted or rejected a 287(g) collaboration.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
And filmmakers building outside Hollywood’s traditional gates aren’t rejecting the business.

— Chaseedaw Giles, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejecting

Verb

The video shows four deputies running after Garza along Interstate 10 in Palm Springs, with Garza facing the deputies several times while holding an object in his hands.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Together, the two designs support Hanwha Power’s effort to expand its electric vessel portfolio, with the larger concept now holding ABS Approval in Principle.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of holding

Verb

Chinese firms have been suffering from declining profit growth amid intense competition that has eroded margins and even invited the government to step in.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
While program closures at colleges and universities often result from declining enrollment or a financial crisis, our decisions at Valencia are driven by neither.

— Kathleen Plinske, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of declining

Verb

Smaller firms can combine roles while preserving the spirit of these practices.

— Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Boscia will be reimagined through the lens of modern dermatology while preserving the Japanese skin care philosophy, ingredients and rituals that have long defined its identity.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026