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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to retain
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
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Recent Examples of withhold
The bill allows the governor to withhold state grants or funding to a city that doesn’t comply with the law.
—
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Instead, some posters might offer theories about what happened, what didn’t, what evidence might have been withheld.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The bill would withhold some federal highway funding for states with a gas tax exceeding 50 cents per gallon, according to a news release on Tuesday.
—Mathew Miranda
february 10, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Now, one lawmaker wants to allow that office to withhold some investigative records from the public.
—Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for withhold
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Instead, some posters might offer theories about what happened, what didn’t, what evidence might have been withheld.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The bill would withhold some federal highway funding for states with a gas tax exceeding 50 cents per gallon, according to a news release on Tuesday.
—Mathew Miranda
february 10, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Now, one lawmaker wants to allow that office to withhold some investigative records from the public.
—Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for withhold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withhold
Verb
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Protesters stood in front of the main gate and refused to leave.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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If at a certain point the person refuses to cooperate, recruiters resort to blackmail, Andriy said, threatening to hand over the correspondence to the SBU.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Re-build the agency by hiring and retaining great people.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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According to the American Craft Spirits Association, American craft distilleries rose from 150 to 200 in 2010 to over 3,000 by 2023, and while that number has begun to level off over the past year, the craft whiskey industry retains its strong presence.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Aljorna and Sosa-Celis denied assaulting the officer.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Decades later, Faraci cooperated with Modrowski’s lawyer during the post-conviction proceedings and submitted two affidavits in 2019 and 2011 denying Modrowski was involved, court records show.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This McGill and Chinese University of Hong Kong grad also has bylines in Architectural Digest, Men's Journal, Town & Country, and Observer—occasionally trading his keyboard for time in front of cameras for brand campaigns or keeping conversations flowing as a panel moderator.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Gabe Gordon and Timothy Gibbons leaned into the Olympics mood while keeping it hot and fun with a collection influenced by ’80s figure skaters, school girls and a whole lot of vintage Americana.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Zelenskyy previously stressed that the timing and format of any elections are matters solely for Ukraine and its citizens, rejecting any suggestion that the Kremlin could dictate the process.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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The council also rejected, narrowly, a flat 2% increase suggested by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez in a 7-8 vote.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The visit by Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country's Supreme National Security Council, likely focused on what comes next after the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.—
JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Financial Times, citing Ukrainian and European officials involved in the planning, reported on Wednesday that both a presidential vote, in which Zelenskyy would seek re-election, and a nationwide referendum could be held by May 15.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The driver and bicyclist declined to be transported to the hospital, according to officials.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
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The sheriff declined to answer several questions, including one from a reporter who asked if there was a ransom demanded.—
Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz , Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Officials said the new general fund revenue would not likely backfill all that the county stands to lose, but the money would be vital for preserving health care programming.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
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Her analysis further suggests that a sanctions-relief agreement that leaves Iran’s broader capabilities intact could stabilize the regime at a moment of internal pressure while preserving its military leverage.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withhold. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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