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 But Li deliberately withholds – for more than 300 pages – how John and Adelaide met. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026 The league withholds 10% of players’ salaries during the season in escrow, and after BRI is calculated, a portion of that is returned to ensure the proper revenue split between players and owners. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholds

Verb

Lula’s victory also denies Trump another political ally in Latin America, which include Argentinian President Javier Milei and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
The investigation ended without charges against Collins or her staff, and her office denies wrongdoing.

— Emma Specter, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of denies

Verb

Despite the protests, Vucic retains considerable support among Serbia's voters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Despite not receiving the endorsement of the faculty guild, Buelna retains the support of a number of faculty members, including the president of the academic senate, Angela Echeverri.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of retains

Verb

Elastic edging keeps the machine-washable covers snug across a range of couch shapes, and the collection comes in several colors, weaves and textures to coordinate with most rooms.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
This method prevents nitrogen from diluting the exhaust gas, which hinders combustion and keeps the CO₂ concentration relatively low.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of keeps

Verb

However, a large percentage of the Brazilian electorate also consistently rejects the prospect of voting for another Bolsonaro for president.

— David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Human Rights Watch said those expulsions amounted to war crimes, a charge that Israel rejects.

— Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejects

Verb

There is a build up of dust on the chain that holds the cup dispenser suspended above the ice cream station.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
One other consideration was the Dream’s primary home, Gateway Center Arena in College Park, which holds about 3,500.

— Rod Beard, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of holds

Verb

The Salt Lake County clerk requests assistance to secure the polls, but the sheriff, unsure about jurisdiction, declines.

— Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Steep declines across the tech space, led by Meta and the chip sector, saw Nasdaq log its worst day since June.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of declines

Verb

The tri-captain possesses a certain gravitas that has helped drive the Warriors to the Class 2A state championship game, according to junior midfielder and tri-captain Lino Melero.

— Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Each of the three theaters also possesses a distinct spatial character.

— Wendy Wang, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026