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 bonus until the end of the year. [withhold: verb]
Example
He withheld the truth from his friend to avoid hurting their feelings. [withheld: past tense]
restrain
Example
The police officer had to restrain the suspect from running away. [restrain: verb]
Example
She tried to restrain her anger during the argument. [restraining: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Withhold is more commonly used in formal or legal contexts, while restrain is more commonly used in everyday language. Both words are versatile and can be used in various contexts, but withhold is more specific to information or resources, while restrain is more specific to people or actions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between withhold and restrain?
Withhold is typically associated with formal or legal language, while restrain can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, both words can be used in various levels of formality depending on the context and tone of the sentence.
