Definitions and Examples of withhold, keep, retain
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To refuse to give or grant something; to hold back or keep something back.
Example
The company decided to withhold bonuses until the end of the year.
To have or retain possession of something; to not give away or distribute something.
Example
He decided to keep the money for himself instead of sharing it with his friends.
To keep or continue to have something; to not lose or give up something.
Example
The company decided to retain its employees despite the economic downturn.
Key Differences: withhold vs keep vs retain
- 1Withhold implies a deliberate act of not giving or granting something.
- 2Keep implies having possession of something and not giving it away.
- 3Retain implies continuing to have something and not losing it.
Effective Usage of withhold, keep, retain
- 1Business: Use withhold to describe actions such as withholding bonuses, payments, or information.
- 2Possession: Use keep to describe having or retaining possession of something.
- 3Continuation: Use retain to describe continuing to have or not losing something.
Remember this!
The antonyms of mete are withhold, keep, and retain. These words convey different meanings related to not distributing or allotting something. Use these words in business contexts to describe actions such as withholding bonuses or payments, or in everyday situations to describe possession or continuation of something.
