What is the Opposite(Antonym) of “provide”?

The Opposite(Antonym) of “provide”

The antonyms of provide are withhold, deprive, and take away. The antonyms convey the opposite meaning of providing something, which is to deny or remove something.

Explore all Antonyms of “provide”

• withhold
• deprive
• take away

Definitions and Examples of withhold, deprive, take away

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

withhold

Refuse to give (something that is due to or is desired by another).

Example

The company decided to withhold bonuses until the end of the year.

deprive

Deny (a person or place) the possession or use of something.

Example

The pandemic has deprived many people of their jobs and livelihoods.

take away

Remove (something) from a particular place or position.

Example

The teacher had to take away the student's phone because it was disrupting the class.

Key Differences: withhold vs deprive vs take away

• 1. Withhold implies holding back something that is due or desired by another person.
• 2. Deprive suggests taking away something that is essential or important for a person or place.
• 3. Take away means removing something from a particular place or position.

Effective Usage of withhold, deprive, take away

• 1. Negotiations: Use withhold to express the act of refusing to give something during negotiations.
• 2. Legal Matters: Use deprive in legal contexts to describe the act of denying someone their rights or possessions.
• 3. Parenting: Use take away when describing the act of removing something from a child as a form of discipline.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of provide are withhold, deprive, and take away. Each antonym conveys a different nuance: withhold implies holding back something that is due or desired, deprive suggests taking away something essential or important, and take away means removing something from a particular place or position. These words can be used in various contexts such as negotiations, legal matters, and parenting.