What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
withhold
Example
The company decided to withhold the employee's bonus until the end of the year. [withhold: verb]
Example
She withheld the truth from her friend to avoid hurting her feelings. [withheld: past tense]
refuse
Example
I had to refuse the invitation to the party because I had other plans. [refuse: verb]
Example
The restaurant refused to serve us because we didn't have a reservation. [refused: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Refuse is more commonly used than withhold in everyday language. Refuse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while withhold is less common and often used in legal or financial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between withhold and refuse?
Withhold is typically associated with a formal tone, while refuse can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
