Definitions
- Referring to the act of holding back or not giving something that is expected or due. - Talking about the act of refusing to reveal or disclose information. - Describing the act of deducting or keeping back a portion of something, such as taxes or wages.
- Referring to the act of keeping or holding onto something. - Talking about the act of maintaining or preserving something. - Describing the act of continuing to employ or engage someone's services.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to keeping or holding onto something.
- 2Both words involve an action of not letting go or releasing something.
- 3Both words can be used in legal or financial contexts.
What is the difference?
- 1Action: Withhold involves actively holding back or not giving something, while retain involves simply keeping or maintaining something.
- 2Purpose: Withhold is often done to exert control or power over a situation, while retain is done to preserve or maintain something.
- 3Context: Withhold is often used in legal or financial contexts, while retain can be used in a wider range of contexts.
- 4Connotation: Withhold can have negative connotations of being unfair or unjust, while retain is more neutral and can even have positive connotations of preservation or loyalty.
- 5Usage: Withhold is typically used with abstract nouns like information, payment, or consent, while retain is used with concrete nouns like employees, customers, or possessions.
Remember this!
Withhold and retain both refer to the act of keeping or holding onto something. However, withhold involves actively holding back or not giving something, often in legal or financial contexts, while retain involves simply keeping or maintaining something, often in a wider range of contexts. Withhold can have negative connotations of being unfair or unjust, while retain is more neutral and can even have positive connotations of preservation or loyalty.
