withhold

Synonym Chooser

How is the word withhold distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of withhold are detain, keep, reserve, and retain. While all these words mean "to hold in one's possession or under one's control," withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

withheld information from the authorities

When would detain be a good substitute for withhold?

The synonyms detain and withhold are sometimes interchangeable, but detain suggests a delay in letting go.

detained them for questioning

In what contexts can keep take the place of withhold?

While in some cases nearly identical to withhold, keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

keep this while I'm gone

When is it sensible to use reserve instead of withhold?

The words reserve and withhold can be used in similar contexts, but reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

reserve some of your energy for the last mile

When might retain be a better fit than withhold?

In some situations, the words retain and withhold are roughly equivalent. However, retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

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 withhold While Healey attacks Trump for withholding funds from states which oppose his policies, Healey is withholding funds from towns that oppose hers. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2025 The legislation introduced by Clyde threatens to withhold transportation funding unless the city removes the Black Lives Matter lettering from the street, renames the intersection to Liberty Plaza and removes any mention of Black Lives Matter from the city’s websites and official documents. Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025 The bill previously passed the House and would have withheld federal funding to schools that allow biological men to compete against biological women. Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Mar. 2025 He was later indicted for involuntary manslaughter and stood trial in July, where the judge dismissed the case with prejudice after Alec’s lawyers argued that the prosecutors withheld evidence. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for withhold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withhold
Verb
  • In hearings at the Constitutional Court, which is deliberating whether to formally remove Mr. Yoon from office, both Lieutenant General Lee and Lieutenant General Yeo refused to discuss details of their roles for fear that their testimony would be used against them during their own criminal trials.
    Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
  • In response, the woman not only refused to bake a cake this year but also skipped the party altogether.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That contest went the 12-round distance, with Herring retaining his belt.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The filing stated that almost 5,800 USAID awards for future work, and approximately 4,100 distributed through the State Department, will be terminated, while around 500 USAID awards and roughly 2,700 State Department awards will be retained.
    MaryAlice Parks, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Their findings paint a more complicated picture, one that her mother has denied.
    Brian Brant, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Many criticized his decision as a capitulation to Donald Trump, though Bezos denied those claims.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Government funding expires on March 14, and keeping the government open past the deadline will likely require bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Albritton has rejected the idea of passing an open carry bill this year.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
  • While some states complied and the NCAA revised its own trans athlete policy, states like Minnesota have rejected changes to their policies.
    Scott Thompson, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With Republicans holding slim majorities in the House and Senate, Trump framed the speech as an opportunity to rally his party behind his policies, even as tensions simmered within GOP ranks over recent moves on trade and foreign aid.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
  • To arrive at the list, the researchers consulted with over two dozen AI experts, surveyed the AAAI community, and held various workshops.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Daily meme coin launches peaked shortly after the $trump coin debut but have declined sharply.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Research from analytics firm Gallup shows that U.S. alcohol consumption is declining, with younger generations drinking significantly less than their predecessors.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In an effort to attract younger consumers who value sustainability and transparency, producers must have environmental certifications that demonstrate a commitment to conserving resources and preserving the Earth.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Eventually, the city reached a compromise on the rail issue: a single track would be preserved for freight service.
    Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withhold. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on withhold

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