Synonyms of withhold

withhold

verb

with-ˈhōld 

1

as in to refuse

to be unwilling to grant

must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• refuse
• deny
• reject
• decline
• disallow
• disapprove
• forbid
• negative
• prohibit
• restrict
• veto
• keep
• enjoin
• proscribe
• nix
• restrain
• reprobate
• ban
• hold
• check
• spurn
• repel
• constrain
• repress
• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• curb
• rebuff
• balk (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permit
• let
• provide
• allow
• grant
• give
• furnish
• afford
• concede
• supply
• okay
• authorize
• OK
• license
• warrant
• agree (to)
• acquiesce
• commission
• consent (to)
• accede (to)
• sanction
• assent (to)
• licence
• accord
• vouchsafe

2

as in to retain

to continue to have in one's possession or power

withhold some money for your own expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retain
• keep
• hold
• preserve
• possess
• save
• reserve
• have
• protect
• conserve
• hold on to
• enjoy
• guard
• hang on to
• own
• manage
• control
• boast
• direct
• rule
• detain
• cherish
• treasure
• command
• cling (to)
• hug
• harbor
• bear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yield
• relinquish
• release
• give
• surrender
• abandon
• give up
• contribute
• drop
• donate
• reject
• discard
• cede
• dump
• hand over
• lose
• decline
• repudiate
• hand out
• spurn

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

Recent Examples of withhold

This market melted down in 2001 as the private merchant generators withheld power, skyrocketing prices amid rolling blackouts and leading to the 2003 recall of Gov. Gray Davis. —Tom Philp, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025

It should be provided by your employer by the end of January and indicate your income in the year prior and the amount of taxes that were withheld from your paycheck. —Brett Holzhauer,ryley Amond, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025

Under the new policy, beneficiaries who are overpaid after March 27 will have their entire monthly Social Security payment withheld until the debt is repaid. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

Washington must revamp its rules, its institutions, and its mindset to create conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation with its neighbors, particularly because many of them can now choose to withhold their cooperation. —Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing withhold

• withhold (from)