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
More severely, two-thirds of Americans believe the federal government is intentionally withholding information, according to a recent poll.
—
Kaitlyn Buss, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Most taxpayers will collect refunds, reflecting the overpayment of taxes in the past year, typically due to withholding too much money on W-2 forms.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 7 Feb. 2026
The union accused the company of human trafficking via social media; charging workers to live in squalid conditions; threatening and intimidating workers and their families; operating with dangerously high production line speeds; and withholding mail from workers.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, before news emerged that the complaint had been handed over, the whistleblower's attorney, Andrew Bakaj, told CBS News ODNI had been withholding it from Congress without explanation.
—Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
The categories of documents that the Department were still withholding include information involving victims' personal and medical information, depictions of child pornography, or anything that would jeopardize an active federal investigation.
—Philip Wang, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
At the end of July 2025, the SSA began withholding 50% of monthly benefits from individuals with outstanding overpayments.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
Ray can be cruelly withholding.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
The practice allows home-state senators to block nominees from their state by withholding approval — a power Trump has likened to the Senate filibuster and urged Republicans to abolish.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
Kaitlyn Buss, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Most taxpayers will collect refunds, reflecting the overpayment of taxes in the past year, typically due to withholding too much money on W-2 forms.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 7 Feb. 2026
The union accused the company of human trafficking via social media; charging workers to live in squalid conditions; threatening and intimidating workers and their families; operating with dangerously high production line speeds; and withholding mail from workers.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, before news emerged that the complaint had been handed over, the whistleblower's attorney, Andrew Bakaj, told CBS News ODNI had been withholding it from Congress without explanation.
—Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
The categories of documents that the Department were still withholding include information involving victims' personal and medical information, depictions of child pornography, or anything that would jeopardize an active federal investigation.
—Philip Wang, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
At the end of July 2025, the SSA began withholding 50% of monthly benefits from individuals with outstanding overpayments.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
Ray can be cruelly withholding.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
The practice allows home-state senators to block nominees from their state by withholding approval — a power Trump has likened to the Senate filibuster and urged Republicans to abolish.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withholding
Verb
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Authorities are increasingly denying detainees access to legal counsel and often holding them for days or weeks before allowing any phone calls to family.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
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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The basic things — paying the electric bill, going to the doctor, keeping a roof over your head — get more expensive every day, while wages stay rock-bottom and jobs get harder and harder to find.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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The five preceding episodes depicted Louie’s worsening health, with Harden keeping a dignified smile on Louie’s face but also moving a little slower and admitting to more pain.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Most of the time, a child who is shoving at the playground or refusing to take turns with the blocks at daycare is just testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Clintons agreed to testify later this month after initially refusing and facing a potential contempt vote.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For indoor houseplants, avoid potting mix that contains fertilizers or moisture-retaining material, sometimes called moisture beads.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The ultra-soft, heat-retaining fabric stretches close to the body, trapping warmth efficiently and making long evenings at Copenhagen’s Christmas markets far more enjoyable.—
Michelle Tchea,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Gingles’ apartment, investigators found a letter from the DMV in Texas, dated less than two weeks before the murders, rejecting an application for a Texas certificate of title for a vehicle.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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Even Republican districts are rejecting the rapid buildout of ICE detention facilities in their communities.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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FedEx and private equity investor Advent International will both each own 37 percent of shares in the company, with investment firms A&R and PPF holding 16 percent and 10 percent stakes, respectively.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, lung cancer incidence rates are declining slower in Iowa than in other states.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
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Measles-vaccination rates have been steadily declining for several years; since last January, the country has logged its two largest measles epidemics in more than three decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Additional commitments include maintaining HBO as an independent operation, ensuring every film receives a full theatrical release with a minimum 45-day global window before paid video-on-demand availability, and preserving the home video window following theatrical runs.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
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Lamont now wants to reduce the new tax hike from $375 million to $100 million while preserving the plan passed last year to boost payments to hospitals by $140 million annually, netting the hospitals a collective $40 million a year.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withholding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withholding. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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