Find Synonyms
withholding Synonyms
Another word for withholding
Choosing another word for withholding depends on context, so the 13 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
A portion of an employee's wages or salary deducted directly by an employer to pay income taxes or other statutory obligations.
Usage Example
"She adjusted her tax deduction at the start of the fiscal year to avoid owing a large sum in April."
Strong
deduction
retention
• noun (Context 2)
The act of refusing to give, grant, or disclose something that is due, requested, or expected.
Usage Example
"The deliberate retention of crucial evidence by the defense team resulted in a mistrial."
Strong
retention
suppression
refusal
concealment
denial
• adjective (Context 3)
Reluctant to give affection, approval, or information; emotionally reserved or ungenerous.
Usage Example
"Growing up with a cold and ungenerous parent made it difficult for him to express his own feelings later in life."
Strong
ungenerous
guarded
reserved
aloof
reticent
distant
cold
Opposites of withholding
The opposite of withholding shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
disclosure
release
forthcoming
affectionate
generous
bestowal
provision
open
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Withholding. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/withholding