1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of withholding
However, the pair were convicted of improperly withholding $94 million of that settlement from 440 plaintiffs.
—
Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 23 Dec. 2024
Only four of the eight Ivy League schools released information about their early admissions this year, as Harvard joined UPenn, Princeton, and Cornell in withholding the majority of their admissions data until the conclusion of this year's admissions season.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
But what the show ends up doing is withholding empathy for its protagonist, who looks increasingly sociopathic with each death that washes over her.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2024
Consider the silent treatment, where someone chooses to inflict pain by withholding their words.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Officials at a correctional facility in south central Pennsylvania are accused of retaliating against inmates by cutting power and heat and withholding essential items such as toilet paper to entire cell blocks, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024
In a Friday interview with the Daily Mail, Greene said the government was withholding information about the drones.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
Sometimes withholding information can be a deliberate strategy to encourage employees’ independence.
—Antony Robinson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
The novel delights in withholding easy answers.
—Tajja Isen, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 23 Dec. 2024
Only four of the eight Ivy League schools released information about their early admissions this year, as Harvard joined UPenn, Princeton, and Cornell in withholding the majority of their admissions data until the conclusion of this year's admissions season.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
But what the show ends up doing is withholding empathy for its protagonist, who looks increasingly sociopathic with each death that washes over her.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2024
Consider the silent treatment, where someone chooses to inflict pain by withholding their words.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Officials at a correctional facility in south central Pennsylvania are accused of retaliating against inmates by cutting power and heat and withholding essential items such as toilet paper to entire cell blocks, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024
In a Friday interview with the Daily Mail, Greene said the government was withholding information about the drones.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
Sometimes withholding information can be a deliberate strategy to encourage employees’ independence.
—Antony Robinson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
The novel delights in withholding easy answers.
—Tajja Isen, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding
Verb
-
After first denying the nonprofit’s request for more time, the state agency in January extended the timeline to allow for construction to complete in October 2026.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Mar. 2025
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According to Mike White logic, the greatest sin isn’t being a mess but wasting your energy in denying rather than dealing.—
Joe Joyce,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Van Dijk will not enjoy the replays either but Liverpool’s captain responded in a way that should remind everyone — in the week that Salah’s new contract was announced — about the importance of keeping the Dutchman at Anfield.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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The top-quality fabric provides excellent support, keeping everything in place while ensuring comfort.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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More than half of Wall Street analysts maintain a hold rating on the stock, with nearly a third retaining a sell or underweight rating, according to FactSet.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
30 Dec. 2024
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The proposals call out warnings around discriminatory lawsuits like that of Starbucks, retaining a chief diversity officer position, and citing concern over Costco's unwavering commitment to equity.—
Simone E. Morris,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This tiny spot has everything needed for relaxation—a pair of Adirondack chairs to lean back and reflect on the day and a tiny table for holding drinks and snacks.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
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Any incumbent party would have had trouble holding onto the White House.—
Alex Thompson,
Axios,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Turkey has emerged as a key broker in the Black Sea region, preserving relations with both Ukraine and Russia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2025
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By preserving the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, solventless concentrates offer a richer flavor and potentially more robust effects.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Fass shared a story about pairing younger, digitally fluent employees, steady middle managers, and older employees possessing crystallized wisdom and intelligence.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Kim has been charged with multiple crimes ranging from destruction of property, arson and possessing a fire device, according to jail records.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Withholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withholding. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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